The Premier Volleyball League has taken a giant leap forward with the launch of its six-month All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, the longest and most comprehensive tournament in league history.
Following the success of the inaugural Rookie Draft, the league has revamped its tournament calendar and introduced an innovative format aligned with the FIVB’s international schedule, promising fans a wealth of high-stakes matches and fierce competition.
The 12 participating teams are more prepared than ever, with Creamline leading the field as the defending champions. The Cool Smashers, coming off a record four straight titles since the 2023 All-Filipino Conference, remain the team to beat.
However, the remaining squads, including those that have struggled in past tournaments, are motivated to reach the playoffs and make a run for the championship.
The conference opens with a thrilling doubleheader with Akari, fresh from a runner-up finish in the Reinforced Conference, facing off against Galeries Tower at 4 p.m.
The Chargers bring a formidable roster, featuring Ivy Lacsina, Ced Domingo, Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma, complemented by seasoned players like Gretchel Soltones, Joy Soyud, and Michelle Cobb.
On the other hand, the Highrisers, with top rookie Julia Coronel, hope to make a statement and improve upon last season’s standing with key players like Grazie Bombita and Jewel Encarnacion.
The 6:30 p.m. match between Petro Gazz Angels and Choco Mucho Flying Titans promises to deliver a memorable showdown.
Both teams aim for redemption after underwhelming performances in the last import-laced conference.
Choco Mucho, now fully healthy, is bolstered by a star-studded roster, including Kat Tolentino, Royse Tubino and Dindin Manabat, while Petro Gazz brings back experienced talents like Jonah Sabete and Aiza Pontillas, along with the returning MJ Phillips.
On Tuesday, PLDT will take on Nxled, followed by a Chery Tiggo vs. Capital1 matchup, while Creamline’s title defense begins next Saturday against Petro Gazz, a challenging start to the Cool Smashers' bid for an 11th championship.
This conference features a distinctive format. After the preliminary round, teams will be ranked 1 to 12. In the qualifying round, the top-ranked teams will face the lowest-ranked teams (e.g., Rank 1 vs. Rank 12, Rank 2 vs. Rank 11) for a chance to advance to the playoffs.
Losing teams will enter a play-in tournament for another opportunity to progress.
The quarterfinals will feature a best-of-three series, while the semifinals will follow a round-robin format with a tiebreaker if needed. The championship series will also be a best-of-three showdown.
