PSL Grand Prix contenders beef up rosters

EVERY team is getting a major upgrade.

Cignal, Petron and F2 Logistics lead the other teams in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix that have tapped the services of foreign players ahead of the Oct. 8 inaugural at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Cignal, which has been a bridesmaid many times over, snagged Laura Schaudt of the US and Olympian Lynda Morales of Puerto Rico.

The explosive duo will lead a crew made up of new recruits Janine Marciano, Stephanie Mercado, Mylene Paat, Lourdes Patillano and Filipino-American setter Shawna-Lei Santos.

Former MVP Venus Bernal is also suiting up for the HD Spikers after taking a two-year hiatus.

“All teams have obviously upgraded their respective rosters,” said PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara. “But it’s still a very balanced field. Strength on paper alone wouldn’t be enough to bring home the crown.”

The Cargo Movers are choosing among Sydney Kemper, Nicole Walch, McKenzie Adams and Melissa Toth while their All Filipino champion local crew are still intact.

The Tri-Activ Spikers will have American Stephanie Niemer, who is said to be the league’s most explosive import in the preseason. She will partner with

6-foot-5 middle blocker Serena Warner.

RC Cola-Army will have former US juniors national team member Kierra Holst and Hailie Ripley up as imports.

Former Trinidad and Tobago national team member Darlene Ramdin and Ukrainian sensation Polina Liutikova will power Generika.

All of them will have to contend with reigning champion Foton which will have Ariel Usher and Lindsay Stalzer in the roster.