Santiago, Maraño, Yongco top three picks of first PSL draft

As expected, Aleona Denise “Dindin” Santiago of National University gets selected first overall by Petron at the 2014 Philippine SuperLiga draft held on April 2 at the NBA Café at SM Aura in Taguig City. Following Santiago are De La Salle-Manila team captain Abigail Maraño, who went to Air Asia, and Iari Yongco of De La Salle-Dasmarinas, who was picked by RC Cola.

The 6-2 Santiago led NU to two straight UAAP women’s volleyball semifinals appearances. Now, she will take her skills to the Blaze Spikers, a team that finished third at the Invitational and fifth at the Grand Prix.

“Thankful (ako) na maraming naniniwala sa akin,” said the elder of two Santiago siblings who played for the Sampaloc-based university.

Marano reunites in Air Asia with De La Salle Lady Spikers coach Ramil de Jesus and the core of the squad that won three straight UAAP championships from 2011-2013. They form the newest squad in the women’s division of the league.

“Masaya kasi first (round) pick ka, so feeling ko yung worth ko, ‘Wow, coach, thank you,’” the AB Philippine Mass Media graduate shared. “Ito yung chance ko na makalaro with former Lady Spikers. Yung family and bonding relationship, ico-continue lang namin.”

Yongco, meanwhile, is a product of De La Salle-Dasmarinas’ successful volleyball program. She has played for the national team, competing in the qualifiers of the FIVB Women’s World Championship.

“Nagulat nga ako kasi ang dami-daming magagaling na spikers tapos napunta ako sa RC Cola (in the first round),” the unassuming Patriot shared. “Noong nalaman kong may SuperLiga, nagpa-kondisyon ako kasi gustong-gusto ko maglaro. Etong sa first time ko, gusto ko sana maganda maipakita ko, na deserved ako sa RC Cola mapunta.”

Rounding out the first round are Janine Marciano of San Beda, which was taken by Cagayan Valley; Jamanea Ferrer of Ateneo, chosen by PLDT MyDSL; Norie Jane Diaz of Perpetual Help, who was nabbed by Cignal HD; and Christine Agno, who went to two-time PSL champion Generika-Army.

In the second round, Petron grabbed Bulldog Carmina Aganon, Air Asia plucked Jeushl Wensh Tiu, the Raiders went for Jill Gustillo, the Rising Suns picked Charlene Gillego, PLDT selected Rysabelle Devandera, Cignal chose Michiko Castaneda, and Generika-Army took Joyce Antonette Palad.

The rest of the picks are the following: Mayette Zapanta (Petron), May Macatuno (Air Asia), and Toni Faye Tan (RC Cola) in the third round; Arianna Angustia (Air Asia) and Southlyn Ramos (RC Cola) in the fourth round. (JP ABCEDE)

Source

Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix kicks off

The Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix, the second staging of the PSL this year, will begin with a doubleheader on November 10 at the FilOil-Flying V Arena with the opening ceremonies at 1pm. The tournament begins with a match pitting PLDT MyDSL and Maybank in the men's division at 2pm, followed by recent V-League champion Cagayan Valley going up against Petron at 4pm.

TMS-Philippine Army won the inagural tournament by beating Cignal HD in four sets, 25-15, 25-18, 14-25, 25-16. Petron, meanwhile, copped third place after defeating the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns, 25-18, 22-25, 26-24, 25-16.

Army is bannered by an all-star cast that includes Jacq Alarca, Mary Jean Balse, Tina Salak, and Rachel Anne Daquis, who will be playing in the PSL for the first time. Coach Enrico de Guzman will also rely on reinforcements Wanitchaya Luangtonglang of Thailand and Yuki Murakoshi of Japan.

Cignal welcomes the veteran presence of Maureen Penetrante-Ouano, who joins fellow De La Salle University-Manila alumni Michelle Datuin and Chie Saet. Another new face in the squad is Jheck Dionela, who previously played for Cagayan in the Invitational conference. They will be backstopped by two Chinese imports in Li Zhan Zhan and Xie Lei.

Petron Blaze parades a mix of former Ateneo and De La Salle spikers namely, Kara Acevedo, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho, Melissa Gohing, and Stephanie Mercado. Coach Vilet Ponce-de Leon took the services of Misao Tanyama and Shinako Tanaka of Japan.

Cagayan Valley has a veteran-laden lineup that includes Angge Tabaquero, Aiza Maizo, Pau Soriano, Joy Benito, Sandra delos Santos, and Jen Reyes. Thai spikers Jeng Koturang and Patcharee Sangmuang further bolsters Nestor Pamilar's formidable squad.

The PLDT MyDSL Speed Boosters are raring to improve from their fifth place finish in the first edition of the PSL. The ever animated Roger Gorayeb has a roster that sports Angelina Benting, Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone, Lou Ann Latigay, Suzanne Roces, Cha Soriano, and Maru Banaticla. They are joined by American spikers Kaylee Manns and Savannah Noyes.

Finally, RC Cola, which replaced Bingo Filipino, sports a combination of youth and experience as mentor Ronald Dulay will filed in Jed Montero, Southlyn Ramos, Ivy Remulla, and Giza Yumang. In addition, they will be boosted by Sontaya Keawbundit and Zhang Minghua.

For the first time, there will be a men's division, which comprises of four teams. Aside from PLDT and Maybank, the other teams are Systema and Giligan's. Multi-talented actor and athlete Richard Gomez is in the lineup of PLDT MyDSL.