BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo – Premier Volleyball League (PVL) squads Petro Gazz Angels and PLDT High Speed Hitters are set to face each other in an exhibition match today at the Tamasak Arena here.
The Angels-High Speed Hitters encounter is set at 5:30 pm. after the preliminary game between Gametime Volleyball Season 1 champions Lady Pythons and A and T Smashers.
The exhibition game also served as homecoming of sorts for Ilongga volleybelles Aiza Maizo-Pontillas of the Angels and Fiola Ceballos of the High Speed Hitters.
Maizo-Pontillas, a native of Passi City, was a formed standout in her hometown before being recruited to University of Santo Tomas. She was also a many-time national team member.
Ceballos, who is from Bingawan, was a former star of Central Philippine University Golden Lions before being recruited to play for club teams in Manila-based volleyball Leagues.
Aside from Maizo-Pontillas, also in Angels roster were Negrense Jonah Sabete, Djanel Cheng, Cienne Cruz, Mariella Gabarda, Myla Pablo, Remy Palma, Mar Jana Phillips, Shiela Pineda, Seth Rodriguez, Chie Saet, Gretchen Soltones and Nicole Tiamzon.
The High Speed Hitters had Aklanon Dell Palomata, Negrense Christine Joy Soyud, Rhea Dimaculangan, Jovielyn Prado, Kathleen Arado, Jessey De Leon, Mary Anne Mendrez, Wendy Semana, Heather Guino-o, Nieza Viray, Toni Rose Basas, Lhara Clavano, Mika Reyes and Julianne Samonte.
Gametime Sports founder Rodolfo Go Villaruz said he was thankful to the PVL, the Angels and the High Speed Hitters for agreeing to the exhibition game in Barotac Nuevo.
“We are thankful to them for making this event possible,” Villaruz told Panay News on Sunday. “This is the first-ever out-of-town game in this pandemic era that was approved by the PVL.”
“It is also historic in nature for the Tamasak Arena because this is the first national sporting event to be played here and also the first time that PVL is visiting the Iloilo Province,” he added.
Villaruz further said that they will still be selling tickets outside of the Tamasak Arena today for those who wish to watch the games live but was unable to purchase tickets yet./PN
