MANILA – While they are still the team to beat, Petron Blaze Spikers sees itself having a tough title-retention bid in the 2019 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference, which will open on June 15 at San Juan Arena.
Blaze Spikers head coach Ceseal delos Santos said it will not be easy for them to bag its second crown in 2019 following the improvements made by the other teams during the off-season.
“I think it’s possible for us to be dethroned this conference. All teams are strong and it’s really hard to tell if we can keep our place on top,” said Delos Santos during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday.
“We can’t take this conference lightly. We have to work hard because other teams are also out to dethrone us,” added Delos Santos, which will have Ilongga Ria Duremdes, Cherry Rondina and Toni Rose Basas back in the fold.
Cignal HD Spikers got a huge boost with the acquisition of Filipino-American playmaker Alohi Robins-Hardy while the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers remain intact to challenge the Blaze Spikers anew.
Foton Tornadoes also had a massive upgrade with the entry of sisters Ennajie and Ejiya Laure, collegiate standouts Laizah Bendong, Arianne Layug, Justine Dorog and Marianne Buitre.
Rookie team Marinerang Pilipina is also a threat as young guns Judith Abil, Caitlin Viray, Cesca Racraquin, and Dimdim Pacres conspire with veteran Ivy Remulla are all ready to make an immediate impact.
The Lifesavers will parade former UE star Mary Anne Mendez while the Lady Realtors will have a new libero in Filipino-American Alex Bollier to join the solid crew of Amanda Villanueva, Pamela Lastimosa, MJ Philips and Rebecca Rivera.
United VC is also solid force as Kalei Mau will be back while PLDT will have former Far Eastern University aces Jerili Malabanan, Czarina Carandang and Angel Cayuna to reinforce the core of Gretchel Soltones, Jasmine Nabor and Aiko Urdas./PN
