The Heart of Volleyball is finally back.
With the conference break now over, it’s game time once again in the taraflex as 12 teams vie for the coveted PVL Reinforced Conference title, all while parading returning and new imports.
As an added bonus, pool play also makes a comeback for this conference, setting up a blockbuster opening week as the PVL promises another high-level tournament right from the get-go.
Sit back, relax, and check out the first set of schedule for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
July 16, Tuesday – Philsports Arena, Pasig
Game 1: Galeries Tower Highrisers vs. Nxled Chameleons - 2:00 p.m.
Game 2: Chery Tiggo Crossovers vs. Farm Fresh Foxies- 4:00 p.m.
Game 3: Creamline Cool Smashers vs. PLDT High Speed Hitters- 6:00 p.m.
All games are LIVE on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app
There’s no love lost between Creamline and PLDT.
In the season-opening All-Filipino joust, the High Speed Hitters finally ended their long run of futility against the Cool Smashers, thanks to a stunning four-set win in the preliminaries.
[ALSO READ: PVL Game Highlights: PLDT scores first-ever victory over Creamline]
Savi Davison dropped 25 points in that game and the breakthrough victory was long time coming for PLDT, considering the Cool Smashers won the last nine matches against the High Speed Hitters dating back to the 2021 Open Conference.
[ALSO READ: PVL Player of the Game Highlights: Savi Davison stars with 27 points in PLDT's maiden win over Creamline]
Creamline will debut 23-year-old winger Erika Stanton as import, while the High Speed Hitters are welcoming back power hitter Elena Samoilenko, who suited up for the squad in the 2022 edition of the tournament.
[ALSO READ: TRACKER: Here are the imports for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference]
In the inaugural PVL Draft, the Cool Smashers opted to boost their defensive backline, selecting Filipino-Canadian Aleiah Torres as the last pick of the opening round, while PLDT took setter Angelica Alcantara as the no. 8 selection.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Aleiah Torres acknowledges pressure of joining champion team in Creamline]
With the status of Finals MVP Jema Galanza up in the air due to Alas Pilipinas commitment, Creamline will rely on Stanton for added firepower on a team still boasting super scorers in multi-time MVP Tots Carlos, Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, and team captain Alyssa Valdez.
Davison, meanwhile, is still expected to be PLDT’s main offensive gunner, but the arrival of Samoilenko should lessen the load for Savi as Erika Santos, Jules Samonte, and Majoy Baron can also provide scoring punch.
Can the High Speed Hitters prove that their previous win was no fluke or will the Cool Smashers avenge the loss on opening day?
July 18, Thursday – Philsports Arena, Pasig
Game 1: Petro Gazz Angels vs. ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles - 2:00 p.m.
Game 2: Akari Chargers vs. Capital1 Solar Spikers - 4:00 p.m.
Game 3: Cignal HD Spikers vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans 6:00 p.m.
All games are LIVE on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app
The champs are back, and their first assignment comes in a debuting team eager to make some noise.
Two-time defending champion Petro Gazz will kick off its three-peat quest against the rebranded ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in an intriguing curtain raiser.
Formerly known as Strong Group Athletics, the Thunderbelles get the first crack on the Angels squad that took outside spiker AA Adolfo and setter Donnalyn Paralejas in the inaugural PVL Draft.
Both teams are set to parade returning reinforcements in their afternoon duel, with former Best Import Wilma Salas set to play for Petro Gazz for the first time in five years.
[ALSO READ: 2019 Best Import Wilma Salas returns to Petro Gazz for a three-peat title bid]
The 35-year-old Salas will surely get her hands full on the other side of the net, with former Kurashiki Ablaze power hitter Asaka Tamaru returting to the PVL after winning the 2023 Invitationals.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Asaka Tamaru set to suit up as import for ZUS Coffee]
It’s still up in the air whether Thea Gagate, the top overall pick of the first-ever PVL draft, will play in ZUS Coffee’s opening game due to Alas Pilipinas commitment, but the young squad bannering NCAA champions Gayle Pascual, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa among others will get their first taste of action against none other than the reigning PVL champ themselves.
[ALSO READ: PVL: No. 1 Pick Thea Gagate excited to team up with CSB core in ZUS Coffee]
July 20, Saturday – Philsports Arena, Pasig
Game 1: Nxled Chameleons vs. Chery Tiggo Crossovers - 2:00 p.m.
Game 2: PLDT High Speed Hitters vs. Galeries Highrisers - 4:00 p.m.
Game 3: Farm Fresh Foxies vs. Creamline Cool Smashers- 6:00 p.m.
All games are LIVE on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app
Can major offseason movements bring the Chameleons to greater heights in this import-laden tournament?
Sister teams Nxled and Akari figured in a multi-player swap, with the Chameleons getting Trisha Genesis, Bang Pineda, and Roselle Baliton.
The Chargers, in return, brought in Ivy Lacsina, Dani Ravena, Kamille Cal, and Camille Victoria.
Taka Minowa also switched fences and is now the head coach of the black-and-pink squad, as Raffy Mosuela will now be mentoring the Chameleons.
Now, a rejuvenated Nxled squad aim to test the mettle of the Katherine Bell-led Chery Tiggo Crossovers to open the first PVL Saturday of a new conference.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo secures Katherine Bell for 2024 Reinforced Conference]
Coming off a fourth-place finish in the All-Filipino Conference, the Crossovers are determined to finally end a three-year title drought with Bell, who played in the country from 2018-2020.
The 31-year-old is also set to reunite with her former teammate Aby Marano, adding an extra layer of familiarity in her latest stint.
Star spiker Eya Laure and libero Jen Nierva’s status for the Reinforced Conference are still in the gray area as well due to Alas Pilipinas commitments, as both sides are still in talks for a favorable agreement.
With their possible absence, expect Cess Robles, EJ Laure and veterans Mylene Paat and Ara Galang to step in and help Bell in the offense.
[ALSO READ: Will Jen Nierva, Eya Laure play for Alas Pilipinas again? PVL weighs in on talks with Chery Tiggo]
Let the games begin again, PVL fans!