INAASAHAN ang umaatikabong bakbakan sa Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference sa pagpasok ng dalawang bagong koponan, at isang nagbabalik na team kasama ang dalawang foreign guests.
Ang mid-season tournament ay aarangkada sa June 27 sa Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Pangungunahan ng defending champion Creamline, tinalo ang Chinese-Taipei side KingWhale sa one-game final noong nakaraang taon, ang 13-team Invitational cast.
Umaasa ang Cool Smashers na makalapit sa Grand Slam, na nabigo nilang makamit noong nakaraang taon, ngunit hindi ito magiging ma- dali.
Ang Farm Fresh at Gerflor ay nasa kanilang PVL debut, habang magbabalik ang Foton sa volleyball scene matapos ang tatlong taong pahinga.
“With volleyball in the country growing by leaps and bounds over the past decade, we feel that it’s about time to increase the number of member teams in the PVL,” pahayag ni league president Ricky Palou.
“This will not only bring more excitement for our fans but also provide players with more opportunities to have a career in volleyball. The new teams are also committed to staying with us in the long term,” dagdag pa niya.
Tinatampukan ng core ng reigning twotime NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde team, ang Farm Fresh ay gagabayan ni Jerry Yee sa inisyal na pagsabak nito sa liga.
“The PVL is a big platform to introduce our product, which is the first real fresh milk in the market,” sabi ni Foxies team manager Janica Lao.
“Though we are a new team, chemistry won’t be a problem for us since the Lady Blazers never really stopped training even after the NCAA season,” dagdag pa niya.
Pangungunahan nina Gayle Pascual at Jade Gentapa, ang Finals MVP sa huling dalawang NCAA seasons, kasama sina Cloanne Mondoñedo, Jessa Dorog, Michelle Gamit, Zam Nolasco at comebacking Mycah Go ang Foxies.
Samantala, ang Defenders ay tatampukan ng pinagsamang veterans at young players at gagabayan ni Edgar Barroga.
“We are thrilled to finally be a part of the PVL. We have organized and participated in several leagues to qualify for the opportunity to compete in the PVL, which we believe is the most prestigious league in the country. Being a part of the PVL is already an honor and accomplishment for our volleyball club,” ani Gerflor team manager Jordan Tolentino.
Ang Gerflor ay may ipinagmamalaking hitters na target na makagawa agad ng impact sa kanilang pagbabalik sa PVL sa katauhan nina Mina Aganon-Digal, Justine Dorog, Jannine Navarro at Raprap Aguilar, habang sina Alyssa Bertolano at Ethan Arce, dating mula sa University of the Philippines, ay sasalang sa kanilang pro debut.
Samantala, inaabangan na ng Tornadoes ang kanilang mga laro kontra heavyweights ng liga.
“We are happy that the league and the member teams allowed us tojoin starting with the Invitational Conference,” wika ni team manager Aaron Velez.
“With two teams, this will give our company added exposure and our players a chance to further hone their skills,” dagdag pa niya.
Hindi pa inaanunsiyo ng Tornadoes ang kanilang players para sa second conference.
Ang 11 local teams ay hahatiin sa dalawang grupo.
Ang Group A ay ka- bibilangan ng Creamline, Chery Tiggo, PLDT, Akari, at Gerflor, habang ang Group B ay bubuuin ng Petro Gazz, F2 Logistics, Choco Mucho, Cignal, Farm Fresh at Foton.
Ang top two teams sa bawat pool ay aabante sa round-robin semifinals, kasama ang dalawang foreign teams. Dadalhin ng mga koponan mula sa parehong pool ang kanilang head-to-head record sa second round.
Ang top two teams ay uusad sa winnertake-all gold medal match, habang ang third at fourth-ranked teams ay maghaharap para sa bronze.
