After crowning F2 Logistics as back-to-back champions of the Invitational Conference, the Philippine Superliga now turns its attention to the first-ever Super Cup.
The bonus conference, taking place Nov. 5, 7 and 8 and which aims to help the Philippine women's team to prepare for the Southeast Asian Games in December, will pit the national players against a Japanese team and a pair of PSL selection teams called Shine and Sparkle.
Petron's Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Denden Lazaro will banner Team Shine, while Cignal's Alohi Robins-Hardy and Roselyn Doria will lead Team Sparkle.
"Definitely the games will be good, but of course we still need to prepare for it," national team coach Shaq Delos Santos said about the Super Cup.
Joining Team Shine are Petron's Remy Palma and Buding Duremdes; F2 Logistics' Lourdes Clemente, Alex Cabaños, and Fritz Gallenero; Generika-Ayala's Fiola Ceballos, Ria Meneses, Patty Orendain, Mean Mendrez, and Bia General; and Sta. Lucia's Amanda Villanueva, Eli Soyud, and Rebecca Rivera.
Team Sparkle will feature Cignal's May Luna and Ranya Musa, Foton's EJ Laure, Jen Reyes, Mina Aganon, and Elaine Kasilag; PLDT's Grethcel Soltones, Jerrili Malabanan, Jasmine Nabor, and Alyssa Eroa; and Marinerang Pilipina's Judith Abil, Caitlyn Viray, Dimdim Pacres, and Nica Gulliman.
Karl Dimaculangan will coach Team Shine, while Ma. Vilet Ponce-de Leon will call the shots for Team Sparkle.
Before competing in the Super Cup, the Philippine team will head to Japan on Sunday for another training camp following last month's trip to Thailand.
"[We'll play against] more on club teams, so it's a big factor. We'll have a good experience there," said Delos Santos. "We all know how strong Japan teams are, so we'll learn a lot from them. We'll also include three or four reserves on the trip so we can have better training."
Newly-crowned PSL Invitational gold medalists Kalei Mau, Majoy Baron, Aby Maraño, and Dawn Macandili of the Cargo Movers spearhead the national team cast, complemented by silver medalists Mika Reyes, Rhea Dimaculangan, and Ces Molina of the Blaze Spikers.