The record-breaking six-month Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference hits its fifth week, electrifying Cebu’s Minglanilla Sports Complex for the first time. This milestone marks a new chapter for the league as it ventures into the Queen City of the South with the enthusiastic Cebuano volleyball community expected to pack the venue.
Cebu has long been a hotbed for volleyball talent, producing legends like Thelma Barina-Rojas and current PVL stars such as Sisi Rondina and Deanna Wong of Choco Mucho, Akari’s Grethcel Soltones and ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate. This makes the PVL’s stop in Cebu not just a showcase of high-level competition but also a nod to the region’s rich volleyball heritage.
With the local crowd’s unyielding support and the presence of volleyball luminaries, Saturday’s matches promise to inspire the next generation of Cebuano athletes.
Highlighting the day’s doubleheader is a showdown at 4 p.m. between the red-hot Cignal HD Spikers and the struggling Nxled Chameleons.
Cignal, riding high on a three-game win run, hopes to build on its strong momentum, led by the reliable trio of Vanie Gandler, Ces Molina, Jackie Acuña and Gel Cayuna. With two close runner-up finishes in the 2022 Reinforced and 2024 Invitational conferences, the HD Spikers are determined to finally clinch the elusive crown.
On the other hand, the winless Chameleons are eager to claw their way out of the cellar. Despite their 0-4 record, they’ve shown flashes of brilliance, particularly through Chiara Permentilla, who dropped 23 points in their last match against the Capital1 Solar Spikers.
Coach Ettore Guidetti, however, faces the challenge of rallying his squad to provide the necessary firepower and consistency in crunch time.
Observers say the Chameleons have nowhere to go but up, but overcoming Cignal’s form will require more than just motivation.
In the 6:30 p.m. main dish, the Capital1 Solar Spikers look to sustain their momentum after securing their first win. Key players like Heather Guino-o, RJ Doromal, Rica Rivera and Leila Cruz are expected to lead the charge as the team aims to notch back-to-back victories after three straight defeats.
Meanwhile, Galeries Tower, still winless after four games, is hungry to end its drought. Led by Dimdim Pacres, Jhoana Maraguinot and France Ronquillo, the Highrisers hope to bounce back and deliver a statement performance to the delight of Cebu fans.
Games are telecast live on Pilipinas Live, RPTV, One Sports, One Sports+, and pvl.ph. The league is supported by Arena Plus, Fabriano Appliances, Milcu, Watsons, iColor & Argan Beauty, Tapa King, Sport Radar, and Mikasa.
