Import invasion: Top-notch reinforcements add spice to Grand Prix tournament

World-class foreign players will spice things up for the coming Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix starting Oct. 21.

But they come with some world-class salaries, too.

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara confirmed that the players coming over will get from $3,000 to $6,000 each for a two-month stint with their respective clubs.

“Our teams chose from a pool of FIVB-accredited players, and we encouraged them to get the best they can afford,” said Suzara. “The better players they get, the better not only for the team, but for the league itself and Philippine volleyball in general.”

Though the salary range still pales in comparison to that in basketball, the pay scale broke the glass roof for the sport considering that PSL clubs can now employ three imports at a time.

Leading the pack for this year’s season-ending conference is two-time champion import Lindsay Stalzer, who will don the Petron jersey this time along with American Hillary Hurley and Japanese libero Yuri Fukuda.

Stalzer steered Foton to two championships in the past, and her transfer will add color to the conference.

Not to be left behind in the PSL arms race is Foton, which tapped Serbian stars Sara Klisura, Dragana Perunicic and Katarina Vukomanovic in its drive to score a “three-peat.”

Cignal established connection with Americans Beth Carey and Alexis Matthews and Japanese libero Mami Miyashita; while Cocolife will rely on Taylor Milton and Tai Manu-Olevao.

Sta. Lucia acquired Canadians Marisa Field and Kristen Moncks and Bulgarian Slavina Koleva, while F2 Logistics closed deals with Venezuelan Maria Jose Perez and Kennedy Bryan of the United States.

Generika will have Darlene Ramdin and Croatian Katarina Pilepic, while University of Santo Tomas and Iriga have yet to name their reinforcements.