The PVL 2024 Reinforced Conference will see a new format when it opens on July 16 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The PVL Reinforced Conference is set to make its highly anticipated return on July 16 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, featuring a new format.
The league will use a Pool Play format, splitting 12 teams into two groups, which consists of two stages.
The first stage will consist of Pool A and Pool B, following a single round-robin format. In the second stage, teams will be divided to Pool C and Pool D where the top three teams from Pool A will compete against the bottom three from Pool B in Pool C, while the top three from Pool B will face the lower-ranked teams from Pool A in Pool D.
After the preliminaries, teams will be ranked according to the FIVB Classification System.
The top eight teams will advance to the knockout quarterfinals, with the winners moving on to the knockout semifinals as well as qualifying for the Invitational Conference in September, which will include two foreign teams.
The finalists will compete in a winner-take-all gold medal match.
Three games will be played on each preliminary game day of the Reinforced Conference, leading up to the Invitational Conference in September.
With this in mind, check out five of the must-watch games in the upcoming conference.
Creamline Cool Smashers vs PLDT High Speed Hitters (July 16)
Kicking off the opening day of the Reinforced Conference, the Cool Smashers will go up against the High Speed Hitters in what is expected to be a thrilling bout.
Last conference, PLDT came away with a four-set victory against the defending champions, and with returning import Elena Samoilenko, expect the High Speed Hitters to be among the top contenders.
But of course, Creamline will look for revenge as they look to open their title hunt with American import Erica Staunton on a solid note.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans vs Akari Chargers (July 23)
Dindin Santiago-Manabat revenge game?
[ALSO READ: PVL: Dindin Santiago-Manabat moves to Choco Mucho ahead of 2024 Reinforced Conference]
After moving to the Flying Titans in the offseason, it won’t take long before Santiago-Manabat gets a chance to go up against her former team.
The Chargers have also retooled their roster with the addition of Ivy Lacsina, Dani Ravena, Kamille Cal, and Cams Victoria, who were shipped from the Nxled Chameleons along with coach Taka Minowa.
Also, it’s a battle between Lacsina and Deanna Wong—a must-watch indeed for fans.
Chery Tiggo Crossovers vs Creamline Cool Smashers (July 30)
Another rematch of two powerhouse squads.
Last conference, Chery Tiggo became the first team to defeat Creamline in straight sets since May 26, 2019.
With Katherine Bell on board for the Crossovers, the Kungfu Reyes-led squad will finally put it all together for a championship run.
Of course, to get to the top, one must best the teams in the league which, in this case, includes the Cool Smashers.
Petro Gazz Angels vs Cignal HD Spikers (August 1)
A crucial match will ensue between Petro Gazz and Cignal on the first day of August.
By then, a game like this could decide who advances to the semifinals, meaning that both teams will go all out for the victory.
Can Venezuelan Olympian MJ Perez push the HD Spikers to victory, or will reigning MVP Brooke Van Sickle lead the Angels and continue their impressive form so far in the PVL?
Capital1 Solar Spikers vs Zus Coffee Thunderbelles (August 6)
To end the elimination round of the Reinforced Conference, the first and second pick in the PVL Draft will go head-to-head.
[ALSO READ: Thea Gagate the obvious choice for ZUS Coffee for first pick of historic PVL Draft, says coach Jerry Yee]
After making their picks on July 8, which among Capital1 and ZUS Coffee will show greater improvement in the conference?
[ALSO READ: After picking up Iris Tolenada, Capital1 sets sight on spiker in 2024 PVL Draft]
Catch all the PVL games live on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app starting July 16.