Philippine volleyball was finally re-united earlier in the year as once-far apart camps got together under one national federation and for one competition pitting the best against the best. As such, the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference gets underway on July 17 in a bubble in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
Though we have to wait just a little longer to see how Philippine Superliga (PSL) powerhouse F2 Logistics stacks up in the PVL, the Open Conference remains a competitive tourney where each and every team has a fighter's chance.
Which among them is the favorite? Which among them is the dark horse? This is what we think:
Championship caliber
Creamline Cool Smashers
Creamline has reigned supreme in the Open Conference's last two iterations. On the shoulders of superstar Alyssa Valdez, the Cool Smashers have established themselves as a perennial powerhouse.
All those were when there were two competing leagues, however, and when neither of them played professionally. Now, there's only one arena where the best of the best have gathered and all of them will be playing for the first-ever professional championship.
Make no mistake, though, Creamline remains favored. Any team with Valdez will have a good shot to win it all - even more so when F2 Logistics, the PSL's standard-bearer, passed up on this conference due to injuries.
Already with an advantage in Valdez, the Cool Smashers also feature one of the best, if not the best, setters in Jia Morado as well as reliable veterans in Jema Galanza, Michelle Gumabao, Ella De Jesus, Pau Soriano, and Risa Sato. Then the rich got richer with the entries of dominant middle blocker Jeanette Panaga and ex-UP spiker Tots Carlos. Safe to say, this is the most complete lineup in the league, with an enviable mix of experience and youth to boot.
Chery Tiggo Crossovers
Two Santiagos and Maika Ortiz. That will be the recipe for success for a Chery Tiggo side ready and raring to make waves in their entry to the PVL.
Fresh off a strong showing in the Japan V Cup, Jaja Santiago is back to show the way for the Crossovers alongside older sister Dindin. That sister act should be more than enough right now as the Crossovers await the end of the UST tour of duty of Eya and EJ Laure.
Captaining the ship will then be the intimidating presence and veteran smarts of Ortiz right at the net. Add Gyzelle Sy and Jasmine Nabor sharing setting duties, national teamer Mylene Paat, and still solid Elaine Kasilag and coach Aaron Velez may very well have a juggernaut in his hands.
And in what ESPN5's Noel Zarate described as "the biggest surprise thus far," Cherry Tiggo also "unretired" the legendary Tina Salak to be part of its lineup. Yeah, Velez gets himself another smart setter as well as an assistant coach. Genius move, we say!
Playoff contenders
Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors
It's been quite a while since the name Sta. Lucia has resonated in sports. Changing that is the first and foremost mission for the Lady Realtors from the very moment they joined volleyball competitions.
While Sta. Lucia fell short of breaking through in the PSL, they come into the PVL boasting the most loaded arsenal they have ever had. Front and center are UAAP greats Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, and Amy Ahomiro, and flanking them are national teamer Dell Palomata, multi-time NCAA champion Jovelyn Prado, and veterans Pam Lastimosa and Bang Pineda. And setting them up for a more than probable run at the playoffs? Why, it's just seasoned Rubie De Leon and youthful Djanel Cheng.
Petro Gazz Angels
After Creamline, Petro Gazz is perhaps the most successful PVL club in recent memory. Then bannered by the likes of Panaga and Prado, the Angels were sure to give opponents a devil of a time on the taraflex.
Panaga, Prado, and Chery Nunag are long gone, however. Worry not, Petro Gazz fans, because reinforcements have come in the form of national teamer Ria Meneses, power spikers Myla Pablo and Ces Molina, "Lady Beast" Grethcel Soltones, menace in the middle Remy Palma, and ace libero Kath Arado. With veteran setter Chie Saet calling the shots, don't expect the Angels to run out of gas anytime soon.
Perlas Spikers
When you combine the experience of setter Jem Ferrer and spiker Suzanne Roces with the youth of Nicole Tiamzon and Jho Maraguinot, you get a pretty solid starting point for any squad. Already armed with that, as well as solid floor defense courtesy of Adamsonians Thang Ponce and Gellie Tempiatura, the Perlas Spikers then welcomed a onetime best middle blocker in Nunag as well as a wildcard in Mich Morente.
The question is, however: Is Perlas 100 percent back from the COVID-19 scare they had undergone just two weeks ago during their training camp in Baguio?
Giant-killer
Choco Mucho Flying Titans
First things first, Choco Mucho has a proven championship core. With national teamer Maddie Madayag joining forces with Bea De Leon in the middle, Deanna Wong setting plays, and Kat Tolentino and Ponggay Gaston hammering it down, a title followed suit.
That was in the UAAP, however, back when they were suiting up for Ateneo. This is now the pros and to help out this young lineup, the Flying Titans are banking on legendary libero Denden Lazaro and multi-time NCAA champion Regine Arocha.
Don't be surprised if Choco Mucho makes the playoffs just barely. Also don't be surprised, however, if they suddenly march all the way to the Finals.
Determined challengers
PLDT Home Fibr Hitters
PLDT doesn't have the embarrassment of riches the teams above them on this list have. What they have, however, is a coach who knows a thing or two about winning - and winning for a long, long, long time - in Roger Gorayeb as well as promising pieces in Isa Molde, Chinchin Basas, Eli Soyud, Aiko Urdas, and Shola Alvarez.
Cignal HD Spikers
The time when Cignal was an unquestioned contender is long gone. Rachel Anne Daquis remains, however, and "Queen RAD" will always find a way to inspire her team into competing. Also with Fiola Ceballos, Janine Marciano, May Luna, and Jheck Dionela, it's crystal clear that the HD Spikers will remain a tough out.
Black Mamba-Army
Count out Black Mamba-Army at your own risk. While they are associated with the energy drink and not Kobe Bryant, the competitive fire and desire that defined the late NBA great is forever deep inside Jovelyn Gonzaga and Ging Balse.
BaliPure Purest Water Defenders
Safe to say, there hasn't been much said about BaliPure. Flying under the radar may very well turn out to benefit them, however, with upsets on the minds of skipper Grazielle Bombita and ex-UE stud Judith Abil.