ASIDE from the intense volleyball action, drama is also set to unfold when the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix opens this afternoon at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Lindsay Stalzer, who previously played for Petron Blaze Spikers, crossed the enemy lines prior to the start of the new season and is set to suit up for rival F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.
Stalzer is a winner wherever she goes in the league as she led Foton Tornadoes to two Grand Prix championships before towing the Blaze Spikers to a gold medal finish in the same conference last year.
Stalzer was curiously left unsigned by the Blaze Spikers, which opted for Katherine Bell and Stephanie Niemer for their title defense, prompting her to jump to the Cargo Movers, where she will join Italian-American Becky Perry.
“If I’m not mistaken, this is her sixth time to play in the league,” said F2 Logistics’ captain Cha Cruz during the press conference on Sunday at the Sta. Lucia Grand East Mall in Cainta.
“She always gives her best to the team she plays for. So we’re expecting nothing but the best performance from her as well from her partner, Becky Perry. We have high hopes coming into the PSL Grand Prix,” she added.
The Cargo Movers isn’t the only team who could give the reigning champion Blaze Spikers a run for its money. United Volleyball Club, Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, Foton and Sta. Lucia also made their offseason moves.
UVC will be parading a rock-solid core of imports Tai Manu-Olevao and Yasmeen Bedart-Ghani while the Lifesavers will be resting its fate on Brazilian Nikolle del Rio and Azerbaijani Kseniya Kocyigit.
The Tornadoes are bringing in former Turkish national team member Selime Ilyasoglu and American Courtney Felinski and the Lady Realtors will have a new coach in Babes Castillo as well as imports Molly Lohman and Casey Schoenlein.
PLDT Fibr and Cignal are also tipped to come up with a strong performance with Grace Lazard and Kendra Dahlke and Anastasia Artemeva and Erica Wilson serving as reinforcements, respectively.
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Futsal squads from Talisay City have showed their way during the 1st Pasidungog Futsal Festival held recently at the Talisay City hardcourt in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
Talisay Elementary School Team A captured the championship in the 13 under category after defeating Talisay South Elementary School in the finals. Zone 12 settled for third place.
Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High Team A, on the other hand, clinched the crown in the 17 and under category by beating Colegio de San Nicolas de Tolentino-Recoletos in the finale. RBLMHS B bagged the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Zone 6 ruled the Men’s Open category as Zone 12 and Zone 15 finished first and second runners-up, respectively.
Close to hundreds of futsal enthusiasts from different barangays and schools in Talisay City participated in the one-day tournament, which was part of Talisay City’s charter celebration.
Supported the event are Mayor Niel Lizares, Councilor Gab Villacin in partnership with the City Sports department (ATLETA) headed by Sports Coordinator Kenneth Valderrama and Minulu-an FC president Rafael “Juny” Lizares./PN
