The spotlight returns to women’s volleyball on Tueday (Feb. 20) as the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference kicks off its highly-anticipated fourth pro season with a promise of an electrifying display of action.
A dozen teams, including newcomers Capital1 and Strong Group, are set to captivate fans at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City with PVL president Ricky Palou expressing excitement about the strong 12-team lineup, anticipating extraordinary talent and fierce competition throughout the 14-week conference.
"The 12-team field for this season is as strong as ever, and we're thrilled to witness the extraordinary talent and competition that each team brings to the court," said Palou, also the head of the organizing Sports Vision.
While Creamline, last year’s two-time All-Filipino crown holders, stands as the perennial favorite with its solid roster and championship pedigree, the challengers, including Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo Akari, Nxled, Farm Fresh and Galeries, are determined to prove their mettle, promising an enthralling chase for the championship.
Petro Gazz, coming off a recent title conquest, faces Strong Group at 4 p.m. while Chery Tiggo collides with Capital1 in the 6 p.m. main game.
PLDT and Choco Mucho begin their campaigns on Feb. 22, facing Galeries and Nxled, respectively, at the Fioil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
The Cool Smashers, meanwhile, launch their title-retention drive against the Farm Fresh Foxies on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m., capping a three-game bill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Chery Tiggo and Strong Group tangle at 2 p.m. while Akari and Cignal square off at 4 p.m.
The league schedule comprises games every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in a single round-robin format from Feb. 20 to April 27. Matches will also be held at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna and at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to bring the league, where it all started, closer to fans.
The top four teams will advance to the semifinals, engaging in another round-robin phase with the top two teams vying for the championship in a best-of-three series.
In case of a tie for second in the semis, a playoff for the last finals berth will be held.
Fans can catch the action on free-to-air on One Sports, in HD on One Sports+, as well as on the PVL’s official website (pvl.ph) and the Pilipinas Live app. The coverage extends globally, including the new free-to-air channel – RPTV.
Sienna Olaso, First Vice President Channel and Content Management at Cignal TV, emphasized that “the PVL is not just a league but a spectacle accessible to Filipinos worldwide.”
"Pilipinas Live will bring unprecedented coverage of the games, providing fans with an immersive experience and showcasing the top talents,” said Olaso.
For full schedule, visit https://pvl.ph/schedule while the full team rosters will be available on https://pvl.ph/teams Thursday.
