POCARI Sweat’s title credentials will be put to the test early as it clashes with University of the Philippines to open hostilities in the Shakey’s V-League Season Open Conference on Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Bannered by former collegiate stars Michele Gumabao and Melissa Gohing of La Salle and Myla Pablo of National U, the Warriors are among the hot favorites in the eight team tournament MVPs Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo and Grethcel Soltones of San Sebastian.
But Pocari Sweat (formerly Philips Gold) will be facing a young and hungry UP squad that grew in confidence after a Final Four stint in the UAAP early this year.
National U, a team that has the tallest player in the league in 6-foot-4 Jaja Santiago, also starts its campaign against Team Laoag Power Smashers in the 4 p.m. game.
The Lady Bulldogs of coach Roger Gorayeb will parade rookie Raisa Sato, a former stalwart of the Under-22 team in last year’s Asian Championships.
Nes Pamilar, a multititled mentor in the V-League will call the shots for the Power Smashers.
Pocari has an edge in experience and also boasts another multititled coach in Thailand’s Tai Bundit, who steered Ateneo to back-to-back crowns in the UAAP.
“Although we have a new coach, most of the players have been together for about a year now and we will be relying on that the whole conference,” said Pocari team manager Eric Ty.
The Lady Maroons are shooting for an upset with Kat Bersola, Isa Molde, Justine Dorog, Diane Carlos and Nicole Ann Tiamzon holding fort.
“We’re here to gain as much experience as we can but if we can beat some strong teams, we’ll take it,” said UP mentor Jerry Yee.
Meanwhile, the league has struck a deal with ABS-CBN to air its Monday, Wednesday and Saturday games, according to league organizer and Sports Vision chair Moying Martelino.
Martelino said they have yet to sign the contract but assures it’s a done deal. With a report from Marc Anthony Reyes