Games on Tuesday
(Ynares Center Montalban)
4 p.m. – ZUS vs Akari
6:30 p.m. – Capital1 vs Choco Mucho
SUPERSTAR ROOKIE Mhicaela “Bella” Belen will make her much-awaited debut as Capital1 clashes with Choco Mucho in Tuesday’s start of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Ynares Center Montalban.
“I love the new challenges in whatever league and whose players I play against,” said this year’s No. 1 overall draft pick who was a three-time UAAP MVP and champion from National University.
“But for me I have to prepare for this conference because the level of play in the collegiate and the PVL are different,” she added.
Ms. Belen also said she’s expecting nothing less than a finals appearance for the Solar Spikers, who tackle the Flying Titans at 6:30 p.m., this conference.
“I have high expectations for the team and have that mentality that we can make the finals, we’re aiming high,” said the Alas Pilipinas standout.
Interestingly, she will face off against a familiar face, fellow neophyte and national team mainstay Tia Andaya, who will partner with Deanna Wong at the setter position.
“She’s ready to play,” said Choco Mucho mentor Dante Alinsunurin of his prized setter from Ellensburg, Washington who suited up for US NCAA Division I Gonzaga University.
Also taking center stage at 4 p.m. are ZUS Coffee and Akari.
The Thunderbelles parade 5-11 American outside spiker Anna DeBeer from University of Louisville, who along with the return of Thea Gagate from national team duty, should bolster their chances in this compressed and ultra-competitive two-month tournament.
For the Chargers, they will brandish a veteran American in Annie Mitchem, who had stops in Jakarta, Italy, Turkey and Brazil after a standout effort at University of Hawaii.
She will have at her disposal a strong core in Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones, Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, Eli Soyud and Ced Domingo. — Joey Villar