AFTER clinching the Grand Prix crown, Petron Blaze Spikers vowed to be more competitive for its back-to-back title bid in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference which opens today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Blaze Spikers’ head coach Ceseal Delos Santos said they are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to capture another crown following a successful run in the season-opening conference.
The Blaze Spikers might have lost the triumphant troika of Lindsay Stalzer, Katherine Bell and Yuri Fukuda but it remains competitive with the return of Ilongga Buding Duremdes, Negrense Bernadeth Pons and Cherry Rondina.
Also returning for the Blaze Spikers this invitationals are Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Mika Reyes, Mary Remy Palma, Carmela Tunay, Frances Molina, and Rhea Dimaculangan.
“I think our chemistry and maturity will be our biggest advantage. We’re coming off a successful title run (in the Grand Prix) so I expect our level of play will be a notch higher,” Delos Santos said.
“All teams have beefed up their roster. While I expect our players to play their best, we can’t be complacent. We still have to work hard because this tournament will be very tough,” he added.
After losing to the Blaze Spikers in the Grand Prix finals, F2 Logistics Cargo Movers is also tipped to come up with a serious run for the crown with the return of their players from UAAP champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers.
The Cargo Movers rolled out the red carpet for the return of Kianna Dy, Dawn Macandili, Desiree Cheng and Ernestine Tiamzon while adding rising star Michelle Cobb.
F2 Logistics team manager Hollie Reyes said they are eyeing for no less than a title with veteran mentor Ramil de Jesus also returning after skipping the Grand Prix to focus on his task as head coach of the Lady Spikers.
“That’s the ultimate goal,” said Reyes, adding that Majoy Baron, Ilongga Abigail Marano, Kim Fajardo, Victorinara Galang and Cha Cruz are all set to take the tournament by storm.
“As you can see, all teams are preparing for the Invitationals. We don’t want to be left behind. That’s why we’re bringing in a complete roster because we know the Invitationals will be a serious battle,” she added.
***
The Game and Amusements Board (GAB) has recently given a thumbs up to Resolution Ni. 2018-09 which points to the rules, requirements and regulation for the conduct of Philippine Youth Championship.
Under this guidelines, qualified to join are those aged 18-23 and have won two 8-round matches or fought 7 professional fights. He can also be an Olympic medalist or contender.
Rules to be adopted in the youth championship will be the standard rule with championship belt provided to champions. When champions reach the age of 23, they are allowed to defend their titles once but when successful will relinquish the titles before the age of 24.
The resolution was signed Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra together with Commissioners Eduard Trinidad and Mario Masanguid./PN
