The head coaches and team captains of the participating teams in the 2017 Belo-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference Grand Prix are presented during the media conference yesterday at the Centrestage at the MOA Arena. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Philippine Superliga spread the welcome mat for newcomers Sta. Lucia and Cocolife by pitting them against tough teams Petron and Generika Saturday at the start of the Belo-Invitational Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Realtors picked up a bigger assignment as they will face the Petron Blaze Spikers, who acquired big name players over the off-season including Mika Reyes, Rhea Dimaculangan and Carmela Tunay.
Hoping to score a title right in its first season, Sta. Lucia will rely on collegiate stalwarts Lourdes Clemente, Ria Sante and setter/skipper Djanel Cheng.
“We just started training two weeks ago but I can see the potential of the team,” said Sta. Lucia coach Macky Cariño who initially pegged their goal to at least a semifinal finish. “But we are taking it one game at a time.”
But Sta. Lucia team owner Michael Robles put him on the spot when he said they are shooting for the championship.
Cocolife, bannered by stars Michele Gumabao, Denden Lazaro and Wensh Tiu, will be mentored by NCAA champion coach for Arellano Obet Javier.
Foton and Cignal test each other in the second game.
The top three teams will advance to the semifinals against Japan’s top club Kobe Xinhua, which will arrive one week before the Final Four.