The Premier Volleyball League brings the curtain down on its six-week On Tour Showdown on Saturday (Aug. 22) with a star-studded twin bill at the Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental, highlighted by the much-anticipated return of former league ace Sachi Minowa – better known to Filipino fans as Jaja Santiago – to the local volleyball scene.
Creamline, the PVL’s winningest and most popular club, closes out the provincial swing against Galeries Tower at 6:30 p.m., with the Cool Smashers looking to follow up their victory over the Nxled Chameleons in Isabela with another impressive performance before what is expected to be a full-house crowd.
But while the spotlight will naturally fall on Creamline, the evening’s bigger story may well be Minowa’s return.
The former Chery Tiggo star is set to see action for the Cool Smashers as she begins her stint with the club ahead of the coming PVL Invitational Conference. It marks another significant chapter in the career of the towering middle blocker, who led Chery Tiggo to the historic 2021 PVL Open Conference championship before moving to Japan, where she played for several seasons and eventually acquired Japanese citizenship.
Minowa has already had a taste of life in the Creamline colors, playing in a recent friendly against Choco Mucho in Cagayan de Oro. Saturday, however, carries a different feel.
“It’s really good to be back. Na-miss ko talaga ang mga ganito dito sa Pilipinas,” said Minowa, who recalled her last visit to Negros Occidental as having been during her high school days.
“So sobrang happy and excited ako to play here again,” she added.
For Minowa, the comeback is about more than simply returning to the court in front of Filipino fans. She is also relishing the opportunity to work alongside Creamline’s established stars while learning from a new generation of players.
“Overwhelming kasi ang daming talented players sa Creamline, and marami ring mga bata,” she said. “I’m really excited to learn from the young players and, of course, from the OGs of Creamline.”
Minowa is scheduled to pursue a professional career in the US after the Invitational Conference, making her limited stint with Creamline an intriguing one for both the player and the team.
She joins a formidable Cool Smashers lineup led by Alyssa Valdez, Michelle Gumabao and Jema Galanza, with Lorie Bernardo and newcomer Ishie Lalongisip also expected to figure prominently.
Standing in their way is a young and ambitious Galeries Tower side that has already shown it can punch above its weight.
The Highrisers split their first two On Tour assignments, defeating the Farm Fresh Foxies in four sets before dropping a straight-set decision to the Chameleons. Against the crowd favorites, they face perhaps their biggest test of the tour – and an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the league’s perennial standards.
Bacolod native Erika Deloria, Jean Asis, Roselle Baliton and Jade Gentapa are expected to spearhead the Highrisers, with veterans Aiza Maizo, Camille Victoria and Lycha Ebon providing experience and composure.
Earlier in the afternoon, Capital1 and Farm Fresh collide at 4 p.m. in a matchup that promises its own share of intrigue.
The Solar Spikers are out to close their limited On Tour campaign on a winning note, but Capital1 libero Roma Doromal said the bigger objective has been to use the traveling tournament to build chemistry and, just as importantly, inspire young athletes outside Metro Manila.
“It’s nice kasi ang idea ng PVL On Tour is that we get to inspire aspiring athletes in the provinces,” said Doromal. “For us, malaking opportunity rin ito because everyone gets a chance to play. Nakakatulong iyon para mabuo namin ang chemistry and makita kung nasaan na kami as a team as we prepare for the All-Filipino Conference.”
Doromal said the Solar Spikers have also been encouraged to let each player’s individual strengths come to the fore.
“Right now, we’re really focused on ourselves – on how each player can show her talents and contribute to the team,” she added.
Farm Fresh, however, will enter the match with considerable confidence after dismantling powerhouse Nxled in straight sets in Lanao del Norte last week.
The Foxies have a potent blend of youth and experience, led by reigning league MVP Trisha Tubu, with Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Riri Meneses, Rizza Cruz, Roselyn Aquino and Ara Galang also expected to make an impact.
For the PVL, Saturday’s double-header represents more than simply the final two matches on the On Tour calendar.
The six-week initiative has taken the league, organized by Sports Vision, and its stars beyond the traditional volleyball centers, bringing games to Isabela, Batangas, Ilocos Sur, South Cotabato and Lanao del Norte before the finale in Negros Occidental.
From packed provincial gyms to communities getting their first close-up look at PVL stars, the tour has served as both competition and outreach – giving teams valuable preparation while allowing young fans and aspiring players to experience top-level volleyball up close.
And fittingly, the league has saved one of its biggest attractions for the final stop.
With Creamline chasing another win, Galeries Tower eager to make a statement, Capital1 seeking a strong finish and Farm Fresh carrying the confidence of its latest upset, the Victorias City finale has all the ingredients of a fitting conclusion to the PVL’s six-week provincial journey.
