Sports
Noel Zarate 5y

What we learned from the first round of the PSL All Filipino Conference

Just because two-time defending champions Petron Blaze Spikers is currently in second place behind undefeated F2 Logistics doesn't mean that they are showing signs of being mere mortals at the end of the first round in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference.

The Blaze Spikers (6-1), in fact, have gotten quite deeper in their roster with the return of newly minted UAAP MVP Sisi Rondina, ace floor patroller Buding Duremdes and the acquisition of former Sta. Lucia power hitter Chin Basas. The prolonged absence of national team libero Denden Lazaro due an ankle injury was among the factors that slowed down the winningest club in league history, along with the inconsistency of its veterans.

But that is all in the past.

Lazaro returned in Petron's final first round tiff against the Realtors and brandished her old impeccable form. And with Rondina slowly but surely seeing increased floor time, the Blaze Spikers are now at full strength heading into the second round.

All eyes, however, have been on the Cargo Movers (7-0) after not only triumphing in all seven of their assignments but achieving the run in dominating fashion sans national team playmaker Kim Fajardo, who is still on the mend from the finger injury she sustained during the Grand Prix.

For F2 Logistics, one young lady has been showing MVP form.

Kalei Mau is among the league-leaders in scoring and her addition to the Cargo Movers is now seen as the coup de grace in F2's quest to finally topple its archrival. A fully healed Kim Kianna Dy, the steadiness of Ara Galang and, of course, the leadership of Aby MaraƱo have put coach Ramil de Jesus' wards in the category of "team to beat", taking the distinction (and perhaps even the pressure) away from Petron.

The first round served as an indicator, but the second round will reveal championship resolve. And while Petron and F2 once again appear to be on a collision course for the title, Generika-Ayala has proven to be the surprise contender while Foton is not far behind and is beginning to come together at the most opportune time.

The Lifesavers (5-2) once rattled off four straight wins and shocked the new-look Cignal HD Spikers in the Negros Occidental sortie of the league. The return of Kath Arado has changed the floor defense complexion of the team with former Ateneo back-up setter Jamie Lavitoria carrying the load vacated by veteran April Ross Hingpit. Lavitoria's volleyball IQ (and length on defense) has been the catalyst for Generika-Ayala's sudden surge into dark horse status. The Life Savers still lean on the offense of wing spikers Patty Orendain and Fiola Ceballos, the net stoppages of Ria Meneses and the steadiness of skipper Angeli Araneta, but the solid play of Arado and Lavitoria have also elevated the whole team's beliefs that they could derail a few contenders in the upcoming second round.

The same can be said about Foton (4-3), especially after Jaja Santiago almost singlehandedly destroyed Cignal last week in Bacoor. Jaja and older sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat have recaptured the chemistry that allowed them to win Foton's lone title in 2016. With the experience the sisters gained from suiting up as imports in Japan earlier this year, the Tornadoes may also be in the conversation for a second round uprising.

The Cignal HD Spikers, on the other hand, have been swamped with injuries and the occasional absence of Jovelyn Gonzaga due to prior commitments.

Gonzaga has been a force in her PSL return after a 19-month hiatus to recuperate from an ACL tear and despite the fact that she is not at her ideal playing weight, she has still been the binder of the team. Janine Navarro tried to play with the bum knee that sidelined her for nearly two weeks but now developed a new injury on the left knee while national team mainstay Mylene Paat is out indefinitely due to a shoulder ailment.

The good news for the HD Spikers is that Gonzaga is now done with her other playing commitments and can now concentrate on helping captain Rachel Anne Daquis, newly acquired orchestrator Alohi Ribins-Hardy and defensive specialist Jheck Dionela focus on a late surge.

PLDT Home FIBR and Sta. Lucia have been struggling. On paper, their lineups appear to be quite formidable with the Power Hitters reacquiring college stars Gel Cayuna, Jorelle Singh, Czar Carandang and the ever-reliable Jerrili Malabanan. They also signed former Foton reserve Gen Casugod to fortify the ceiling issues they always had.

However, things haven't quite clicked. Roger Gorayeb is said to be quite frustrated with the overall performance of the squad that the problem is now more on the mental side than on the physical side. PLDT has an elite scorer in Grethcel Soltones, a solid opposite hitter in Aiko Urdas, a heady setter in Jasmine Nabor and perhaps the best libero of all-time in Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone.

While the soul-searching continues for the Power Hitters, Sta. Lucia seeks its own version of consistency in the second round with a roster laden with talent and a coach who actually can put it all together.

After Amy Ahomiro was inked to a deal early in the conference, Realtors' coach Raymund "Babes" Castillo had all the tools necessary for a deep run: a talented setter in Rebecca Rivera, a go-to scorer in MJ Phillips, a natural leader in Amanda Villanueva and proven floor patroller in rookie Alex Bollier. But as the stinging loss to PLDT proved, Sta. Lucia has a knack for getting into a slump during long stretches and hasn't found a finishing kick yet. It also could hurt their chances in advancing if Bollier misses time with a knee injury.

The winless Marinerang Pilipina, meanwhile, is slowly shaping up to be a competitor.

Rookie sensation Chiara Permentilla is now starting to garner comments on social media that she should be placed in the pool for the Philippines' U23 team while Caitlin Viray, Judith Abil and diminutive setter Rhea Ramirez have shown that they are a season or two away from being bonafide stars in the PSL.

The young team will learn a lot and perhaps even pull off an upset if the more established teams take them lightly. Marinerang Pilipina stole a set against PLDT and played inspired against Cignal. If they can churn out that kind of gritty showing in the second round, they could surprise the opposition.

Here are some early awards at the midway mark of the conference:

Breakout Performer: Ces Molina (Petron)

Molina's stellar play has kept Rondina from becoming a starter and if not for this former San Beda University stalwarts chutzpah, the Blaze Spikers might have lost those two aforementioned five-setters. Honorable Mention: Roselyn Doria (Cignal)

Comeback Player: Jovelyn Gonzaga (Cignal)

Coming back from a career threatening injury is not easy, but Gonzaga's resolve has been one of the HD Spikers' strengths, especially after starting the competition with back-to-back victories. Honorable Mention: MJ Phillips (Sta. Lucia)

Difference Maker: Kath Arado (Generika-Ayala)

She is now being mentioned in the same breath as Lazaro and Dawn Macandili and if she can keep it up, she could be crowned Best Libero. Honorable Mention: Jorelle Singh (PLDT)

Best Newbie: Alex Bollier (Sta. Lucia)

The transition from US College game to Philippine professional game has been nearly seamless for the 24-year-old from Cavite City. She may not be on the shortlist for national team candidates as of now, but if she can keep it up (if her injury is not serious), she can be invited to the pool soon. Honorable Mention: Chiara Permentilla (Marinerang Pilipina)

MVP (1st Round): Kalei Mau (F2 Logistics)

Upon signing with the Cargo Movers, she made one of the league's strongest team even more formidable and seems to have established a connection with setter Michelle Cobb. She is still one of the most reliable points-producer in the PSL and F2's unblemished mark is a testament to her contributions to her new team. Honorable Mention: Jaja Santiago (Foton)

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