MANILA –Creamline clinched its seventh crown in a stunning victory over Choco Mucho, captivating a record crowd with a 22-25, 25-20, 29-27, 24-26, 15-12 triumph.
Coach Sherwin Meneses’ strategic use of bench players showcased Creamline’s depth and strength, securing another All-Filipino crown through a title sweep.
Despite the Flying Titans’ initial lead, Cool Smashers’ resilience, led by key players like Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, and Alyssa Valdez, proved pivotal, dashing the opponents’ hopes and extending Creamline’s dominance in their 11 face-offs.
The monumental victory unfolded in front of a historic crowd of 24,459 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, surpassing previous volleyball attendance records.
“It’s the love for each other. Ayaw naming masayang ang pagod namin,” said a teary-eyed Jema Galanza, who clinched game’s top honors with a 21-point performance. “Our mindset was to play it one point at a time, hindi nakukuha sa mabilisan ang lahat.”
Truly, the Cool Smashers worked for every play and for every point to get back into the match with Valdez bucking a couple of foiled attacks with three straight hits and Risa Sato scoring on a quick attack and Galanza adding two more hits to force an 8-all count in the fifth.
But it was all worth the challenge as Creamline completed its amazing 15-game sweep of the season-ending conference, their second All-Filipino crown in the season as the Cool Smashers added another chapter to the franchise’s storied success in women’s volley.
It was Creamline’s seventh PVL championship – and a second straight All-Filipino feat after turning back Petro Gazz in sudden death last March. More importantly, its romp mirrored the team’s Open Conference successful title-retention drive in 2019 where the Cool Smashers won all their 20 games.
Creamline also scored a perfect campaign in the last year’s Open Conference.
Tots Carlos topscored for Creamline with 26 points while Pons and Panaga came up with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Valdez wound up with eight markers and Gumabao pumped in five clutch points and Lorie Roberto added four points in the two-hour, 40-minute victory that also dashed Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin’s hopes for a double after steering National U to a stirring victory over fancied Cignal in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference finals last Friday.
Rondina sizzled with a personal-high 33 points, including 29 on attacks, and went on to capture the MVP honors, while Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino finished with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Bea de Leon, Caitlyn Viray and Arocha scored six points apiece.
(AI/MNM)
MANILA — Players from 17 of the more than 30 countries seeing action in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Challenge have arrived on Monday—three days ahead of the elite beach volleyball competition set on five brand new world-class sand courts in Nuvali in Santa Rosa City.
These are women’s teams from Japan, Canada, the USA, China, Japan, Brazil, Spain, Austria, and Poland. The men’s squads from Turkiye, England, Australia, Ukraine, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, and Finland, have already checked in according to host Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
“It’s world-class beach volleyball action all of four days,” said Suzara, who thanked Ayala Land for partnering with the PNVF through the five competitions and one warmup court at posh Nuvali.
Tickets are available at vw.ticketmax.ph pegged at P100 for morning sessions and P200 for afternoon sessions. Tickets will also be available onsite starting Thursday.
The qualification matches for men and women are set from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, while the main draw on Friday starts at 9 a.m. with the final match at 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday are for the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals of the tournament that caps the PNVF’s busy 2023 calendar and supported by gold sponsors Ayala Land, Mikasa, Senoh, Philippine Sports Commission, Pinay In Action and Smart as gold sponsors and PLDT, Gatorade, Maynilad, Rebisco, Ayala Malls, Department of Tourism, CBPI, Club Laiya, Foton as bronze sponsors.
The Philippines, under Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Kiodai and Mayi Molit-Pochina, has Ran Abdilla and Jaron Requinton, James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, and Alche Gupiteo and Anthony Arbasto competing in the men’s contest and Gen Eslapor and Dij Rodriguez and newbie Sofia Pagara and Khylem Progella in the women’s division.
There are 16 teams in each of the men’s and women’s main draw while 32 teams are also vying in the qualification round for each gender.
Also expected are elite beach volleyball players from The Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Oman, Thailand, Latvia, New Zealand, Israel, Gambia, Morocco, Malaysia and Slovakia.
MANILA — All roads lead to Nuvali starting Sunday, November 30 for the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Challenge that gathers the world’s elite players for five days in the country’s new beach volleyball mecca in the city of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Elite teams from more than 30 countries bannered by men’s world No. 1 Norway and women’s top-ranked Brazil will strut their stuff on Nuvali’s newly-minted five FIVB-standard sand courts before an anticipated Filipino crowd for one of the toughest world beach volleyball tournaments to be staged on Philippine soil by Ayala Land Inc., City of Santa Rosa and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
“Nuvali is the future of beach volleyball and it starts with the BPT Challenge,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara told the event’s press launch on Wednesday at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Hall in Manila.
With Suzara were Ayala Land Vice President May Rodriguez and Estate Development head Mark Manundo, PNVF secretary-general Donaldo Caringal, PSC commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo, and members of the national beach volleyball teams.
“We are happy to welcome our national athletes and thankful to the PNVF for hosting such a beautiful event,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a lot of preparation to enjoy the upcoming events and we’re very excited.”
The Philippine team under Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Kiodai and Mayi Molit-Pochina is composed of men’s pairs Ran Abdilla and Jaron Requinton, James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, and Alche Gupiteo and Anthony Arbasto, and women’s tandems Gen Eslapor and Dij Rodriguez and newbie Sofia Pagara and Khylem Progella.
Fancied top teams USA, Australia, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland are also in the fray with host Philippines vowing to give a run for their own money at home.
Stalwarts from France, England, Portugal, China, Chile, Austria, Lithuania, Estonia, Switzerland, Oman, Thailand, Latvia, Japan, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Turkey, Gambia, Morocco, Malaysia, Finland, Slovenia, Ukraine and Slovakia are also out to stamp their class.
The BPT—which has Mikasa, Senoh, the PSC, Pinay In Action, and Smart as gold sponsors—ends December 4.
This time, the BPT Philippine leg with PLDT, Gatorade, Maynilad, Rebisco, Ayala Malls, Department of Tourism, CBPI, Club Laiya, and Foton as bronze sports, is tipped to be a way stage of tougher competition.
The BPT is an international tourney that brings top teams in women’s and men’s beach volleyball organized by the Volleyball World, the same institution hosting the prominent Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
Aside from the tourney, the BPT which is an inclusive event for all ages brings an entertainment spice that offers an all-in-one sport, music, and food vibes for an interactive fan fast and the beach lifestyle within a single venue space over four days.
Only 16 teams based on the world rankings are in so far in the 24-team main draw of the tournament with the final eight squads coming from the expected tough qualification, which will feature 32 teams each from both the men’s and women’s division.
The Philippine leg of the BPT is the last tournament before the finals on Dec. 6 to 9 in Doha, Qatar after thrilling stops through 16 legs in Mexico, Brazil, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Portugal, France, India, China and Thailand.
But more than making it to the BPT finals, the top teams are also duking out for the much-needed points to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The BPT is only the latest world-class tourney hosted by the PNVF after bringing home the VNL for two straight years much to the delight of the volleyball-loving Filipino crowd.
(ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of Shakey’s Super League Facebook Page
NATIONAL Collegiate Athletic Association champion College of St. Benilde overcame a slow start to secure their first victory, defeating Letran with a score of 20-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-22, on Saturday in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
The Lady Blazers had to rally from being one set down and stage a come-from-behind effort in the fourth set to fend off the resilient Lady Knights. This intense match lasted for nearly two hours, resulting in a 1-0 record for CSB in Pool C of the tournament.
Four players contributed double-digit points, led by former NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Gayle Pascual, who scored 14 points with 12 successful attacks. Her soft drop shot in the clinching moments marked the start of CSB’s journey to redemption in the 16-team SSL supported by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, and Genius Sports.
Jade Gentapa and Michelle Gamit, both former Finals MVPs, also chipped in with 13 points each, while Zamantha Nolasco contributed 11 points, including four blocks, for the two-time reigning NCAA champions.
Despite the victory, head coach Jerry Yee expressed dissatisfaction with the Lady Blazers’ performance in their debut match. This came a month after their early exit in the Shakey’s National Invitationals against another NCAA team, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
Facing Letran, now under the guidance of new coach Oliver Almadro, CSB encountered difficulties early on, losing the opening set 20-25. However, they gradually regained their momentum and secured the next two sets, winning 25-14 in Set 2 and 25-18 in Set 3. In the fourth set, they had to rely on their championship experience, as they found themselves trailing 14-18 late in the set. Gia Marcel Maquilang’s successful hit off the block nearly pushed the match into a decisive fifth set. However, CSB managed to narrow the gap to 21-22 before Gayle Pascual’s stellar performance anchored a 4-0 finishing run, sealing their first win in SSL Season 2, which was held in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission. (ai/mnm)
MANILA — The women’s national team flew to Thailand on Tuesday for the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship but not without a morale-boost from SM’s top man Hans Sy.
“I believe in you, I believe you can deliver really good result,” Sy, chairman of SM Prime Holdings, told the national team during a send-off brunch at the Conrad Hotel.
“This is a competition, but it’s not ‘win or lose,’ it’s really the experience you’ll gain and momentum you’ll build,” Sy also told the team composed of the core of the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs and top collegiate players.
With Sy during the send-off were Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and Lady Bulldogs team manager Engineer Mariano “Bing” See Diet.
The team—coached by Brazilian Jorge Edson Souza de Brito with NU’s Norman Miguel as deputy—is led by University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 Rookie Most Valuable Player Alyssa Solomon and fellow NU star Michaela Belen.
Also on the team are NU’s Natashza Bombita, Camille Lamina, Shaira Jardio, Minierva Maaya, Evangeline Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, Pearl Denura and Myrtle Escanlar along with incoming rookies Arah Panique and Abegail Pono.
They are joined by Lorene Toring of Adamson University and Nina Ytang of University of the Philippines.
The PNVF intends to develop the young team into a fighting squad come 2025 when the country targets to host the FIVB Women’s World Championships.
“I am looking forward to form a dream team for 2025 in the world championships,” Suzara told the athletes.
“I will support that,” Sy told the young athletes as he bared a suggestion that the world championships be staged at a world-class arena at SM Cebu.
The arena, according to Sy, is currently being built and is expected to surpass the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Besides the main court, there will also be a warmup court,” said Sy of the Cebu arena that will seat at least 15,000 just like the MOA Arena. “What we missed out in the MOA Arena, we’re including them all in Cebu.”
Competition will be tough in the Asian Volleyball Confederation tournament that will be held at the Chartchai Hall of The Mall in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Fourteen strong teams are seeing action with the Philippines bracketed in Pool D with many-time champion China, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.
Reigning champion Japan leads Pool B with India and Iran, Pool A is composed of Australia, Thailand and Mongolia and Pool C is composed of South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The Philippines plays Kazakhstan at 3 p.m. on opening day Wednesday, China also 3 p.m. Thursday and Hong Kong at 12 noon Friday. Saturday is rest day and the semifinals and classification matches are on Saturday and the final on Monday.
In inspiring the volleyball players, Sy told them what his late father, Henry Sy, maintained as his principle in making SM as the biggest mall and department store chain in the country.
“Stay focused, be hungry and stay humble,” Hans Sy said. “ “Stay focused, believe in yourself. Atay focused on the game, forget about all other things—just concentrate on the game.”
“Stay hungry, always be hungry to win, there’s no such thing as easy win—no matter how wide the margin is you have to be hungry. If you have these two, you’ll definitely win, and if you win, stay humble.”
Sy added: “That is actually the formula of SM. We’re No. 1. We understand the expectations is much higher so we work harder. That’s why my father would always say ‘in good times we work hard. In bad times we work harder.” (ai/mnm)
ILOILO CITY – Guimaras State University (GSU) and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) ruled their respective brackets in the women’s volleyball event of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Games Visayas Leg on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium here.
GSU prevailed over Colegio de Santa Ana de Victorias, 25-17, 19-25, 25-21, 25-19, and reigned supreme in the Army bracket, while UNO-R hardly broke a sweat after sweeping Negros Oriental State University-Recoletos, 25-17, 25-14, 25-10, and top the Air Force side.
Meanwhile, in boxing, Army’s Efondo Joeler pocketed the gold medal in the 48-51 kilograms category after downing Romeo Caluspos, while Alfred Deslate clobbered Christian Moses for 51-54kgs top honors.
Renz Puyong bested Klent Pareno to clinch the gold in 54-57kgs, as well as Love Heart Marino (51-54kgs) and Ranie Caringan (54-57kgs).
The closing ceremony was led by Senators Francis Tolentino and Robinhood Padilla.
The Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan were left in awe of the overwhelming support from Filipino volleyball fans as they made their debut in the PVL Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday, July 22.
In their opening match, Kurashiki secured a victory against the Vietnamese team, Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, with a score of 23-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-11, kickstarting their semifinal campaign on a high note.
Ablaze head coach Hideo Suzuki, speaking through an interpreter, expressed his delight at the fantastic PVL debut experience, citing the abundance of fans and cheers as a testament to the Filipino’s love for volleyball.
He acknowledged that their next opponent, Cignal, also boasts a strong fan base but assured that his team would give their best performance.
Throughout the game, the stadium was packed with around 7,000 passionate fans, and both Kurashiki Ablaze and Bac Ninh were treated to showers of cheers whenever the cameras focused on them, their faces illuminating the big screens of the arena.
Tamaru Asaka, who played a pivotal role in Kurashiki’s victory with 29 points, expressed her team’s joy in playing in the Philippines. The massive and enthusiastic audience made them feel welcomed, and they were grateful for the opportunity to compete in such a vibrant atmosphere.
Indeed, the Filipino fans left an indelible mark on the visiting teams, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
(ai/mnm)
Sergio Veloso, a Brazilian coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University women’s volleyball team, taking over from Oliver Almadro, who held the position of Philippine men’s volleyball head coach.
This announcement was made through Ateneo’s Facebook post on July 3, 2023, indicating that Veloso has already paid a courtesy visit to the University’s president, Fr. Roberto Sy Yap, SJ.
“Ateneo Volleyball Program coaches and managers paid a courtesy call to University President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ this Monday, July 3,” Ateneo stated.
“The courtesy call introduced the Blue Eagle volleyball head coaches for both high school and college: Coach Sergio Veloso for the Women’s Volleyball Team and Coach Raymund Gerard Augustine Castillo for the high school.”
Veloso’s primary objective is to revitalize the performance of the Blue Eagles, as they recently experienced their worst season in 14 years during UAAP Season 85’s women’s volleyball tournament.
Under Almadro’s guidance, the Ateneo team achieved a disappointing 4-10 win-loss record and failed to reach the Final Four.
Although Season 85 proved to be a challenging campaign for Almadro, it should be noted that he enjoyed considerable success during his 12-year tenure at Ateneo.
Almadro, who also coaches Petro Gazz in the PVL, led the Blue Eagles to a championship title in Season 81 (2019) and guided the Ateneo men’s team to three consecutive championships in seasons 77 to 79.