PVL: Petro Gazz-Choco Mucho clash headlines All-Filipino opening day

FILE–Choco Mucho Flyin Titans and the Petro Gazz Angels clash in the PVL All-Filipino opener.

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz headline the opening day of the longest and biggest PVL All-Filipino Conference on November 9 at Philsports Arena.

The league on Thursday midnight released the first-round schedule from November 9 to February 22 of the six-month tournament with the last two challengers of four consecutive All-Filipino Champion Creamline colliding on opening day.

Meanwhile, Reinforced Conference runner-up Akari boasts returnees Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, and Justine Jazareno against Galeries Tower, parading No.3 overall pick Julia Coronel, who is set for her pro debut after missing the previous tournament due to her Alas Pilipinas stint.

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The opening salvo will feature the collision of the past two All-Filipino MVPs Brooke Van Sickle, who will be leading the Angels to rise from a bronze medal finish in the first conference and after getting dethroned from the Reinforced.

Petro Gazz challenged Creamline in 2019, 2022, and last year’s first All-Filipino but settled for runner-up finishes. Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara will continue to lean on Van Sickle, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Myla Pablo, Remy Palma, MJ Phillips, and Djanel Cheng.

The Flying Titans will have the services of the former league MVP Sisi Rondina, who is also returning from her Alas Pilipinas stint with Cherry Nunag, as they hope to finally get over the hump after back-to-back runner-up finishes in the last two All-Filipino Finals.

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Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin will have Rondina and Nunag as well as returning player Des Cheng back but they will miss Maddie Madayag due to her Japan SV.League stint, leaving bigger responsibilities for other Flying Titans Kat Tolentino, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Royse Tubino, Mars Alba, Deanna Wong, and Thang Ponce.

Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo, which has yet to break its silence about Eya Laure’s request for a contract buyout, will usher in a new era against Capital1 On November 12 after Nxled new Italian coach Ettore Guidetti debuts against PLDT at the same venue in Pasig City.

FILE–Chery Tiggo Crossovers during a PVL All-Filipino match. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

ZUS Coffee debuts No.1 overall pick Thea Gagate and veteran opposite spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga on November 14 against Akari after the match between Choco Mucho and Galeries at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Farm Fresh new players Rachel Anne Daquis and Jheck Dionela make their debut against their former team Cignal on November 16 at Ynares Center Antipolo. 

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Creamline kicks off its ‘five-peat’ bid against Petro Gazz on the same day, still banking on its stacked roster led by MVPs Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, and Kyle Negrito.

The much-anticipated sibling rivalry between Creamline and Choco Mucho is set on December 3 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, where PLDT and Chery Tiggo also collide.

The league will be holding out-of-town games in Antipolo, Candon, Ilocos Sur, Cebu, and Passi, Iloilo.

The All-Filipino will take a long break after the December 14 triple-header, featuring the match between Akari and PLDT, facing each other for the first time since their Reinforced semifinal duel marred with a controversial call.

Chery Tiggo and Galeries open the final playdate of the year 2024, followed by a duel between Cignal and Petro Gazz.

The league will resume on January 18 with another triple-header with Farm Fresh taking on Nxled; ZUS Coffee battling Choco Mucho; and Creamline taking on Capital1.