Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference: Preview

But first, here’s the lineup for the upcoming Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

REINFORCED CONFERENCE

We all know that every year Shakey’s V-League always had their Reinforced Conference, their last conference of this season I think. It is the time of the conference where the participating teams are allowed to draw and invite some imports and guest players coming inside and outside of our country.  As this season’s open conference is a conference to watch out for because of the new names  of the import invited to play in this conference and the twist and turns that revamped and give some teams changes in their lineups.

 

WHAT’S  NEW?

Every conference, we always watch for new faces and new teams. And for this conference, there are new faces and a new team. One of the new teams who will debut their V-League Title Stint is the Bureau of Customs. The mentioned BOC team is compose of some young players, veteran , import and well-known players such as Alyssa Valdez. The surprising resettlement of the Phenom  is a big surprise specially to the fans of Bali Pure Water Defenders.

Philippine Coast Guard is not a new team but for their lineup for this year’s reinforced conference consists of young and new faces.

POCARI SWEAT LADY WARRIORS

The Defending Champions.

So far, they are the crowd early favorites not just because they are the defending champion but for their lineup as well. Skill-wise, Offense-wise and defense-wise, those were just the strength of this team and  I think their imports can amplify and strengthen the power of this team. In my point of view, the imports are just their to be the  back up players of this team, their locals are offensively and defensively talented.

For this conference, I think they can won their First-ever reinforced conference Championship trophy and their 2-in a row championship reign in Shakey’s V-League.

PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE LADY JET SPIKERS

The Runners-up.

For this conference, PAF Lady Jet Spikers will fill in an All-Filipino lineup. I remember last SVL 13 Open Conference, If I’m not mistaken they swept the elimination round and fell short to the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors in their Finals Match-up.

For me they just need to improve their maturity and confidence in the court because I observed during their Final Game against Pocari, they lack focus whenever Pocari makes a run and they just scramble and lack communication during the last set. They need to adjust in terms of defense, now imports are coming in this conference.

BALI PURE WATER DEFENDERS

The Third wheel.

A lot of adjustments must be done in this team specially they lost some of their players like Janine Marciano who shifted to Cignal HD Spikers in PSL, Gretchel Soltones who shifted to Laoag Spikers, and one of their ace player, Alyssa Valdez who shifted to the newbie Bureau of Customs team. But in spite of losing 3 ace players, there are some players who can replace them, this conference, some former PLDT Ultrafast Hitters ace players will have their debut game as new Bali Pure water Defenders stunners liker Sue Roces and Sasa Devanadera. With the entry of Roces and Devanadera plus the entry of their 2 imports, expect a more powerful Bali Pure.

In the last Open Conference, they lost their semis against Pocari because of their number of errors committed during their semis match up. They were almost at the top of the standing during the eliminations but during the semis, errors piled up and let them to settle in 3rd place.

They really need to work on their consistency. Now that former PLDT stunners sutied up for them, it will be an advantage for them to have more strength in their offense and defense.

UP LADY MAROONS

The Now You See Me Team.

From bottom to a podium finish, that’s the story of this squad from Diliman. This is a young team and it has a lot future in the names of Isa Molde, Diana Carlos, Marian Buitre, and Justine Dorog. While veterans Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon will still suit up for them. Expect a more improve and more powerful UP Lady Maroons, together with their Thai reinforcement, their goal is to have  a podium finish again after finishing 3rd last Collegiate Conference.

LAOAG 

The Revelation.

For me, Laoag is one of the underdog team in the SVL Open Conference. But for me, this team is a team to watch for this season as NCAA MVP and former Bali Pure Stunner, Gretchel Soltones and NU stunners, Aiko Urdas and Jorelle Singh will join this Laoag team together with Jema Galanza and Jovelyn Prado. Chie Saet, their setter  has lots of option in their offense, unluckily, Mylene Paat and Fenela Emnas will not suit up for them this season as Paat will play in PSL  for Cignal HD Spikers.

The question is, how Saet will maximize her team mates in spite of not having a reinforced/import player?

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

The Underdogs.

Their last stint in the SVL Open Conference last year wasn’t that successful and for this year’s Reinforced conference they will suit for a revamped lineup. This may be a young team and for me it is one of the teams to watch for and how they will play in spite of losing some veteran player like Rossan Fajardo. Let’s see who’ll step up for the Lady Dolphins this season.

UST GOLDEN TIGRESSES

The Never Give Up Team.

The UST Golden Tigresses are still looking for another SVL Crown. As per Coach Kung Fu, they will not have any import for this conference but instead they will use this Reinforced Conference as one of their preparations for the upcoming UAAP. They may not reach the semis last Collegiate conference, but now their veteran players are back to suit up for the Espana-based squad. As Chloe Cortez, Ej Laure, Riri Meneses and Cherry Rondina skipped their PSL stint for their mother team, UST.  They have improved players, I’m excited to watch Chloe Cortez on how she will perform in this conference, remember she was a surprise for Coach Francis in the stint of Generika Life Savers in PSL and she was one of the 10 top scorers in the said league. With no imports. they gonna lean on their veterans.

In addition, Pam Lastimosa who just recovered from her injury last year will suit again for the Spikers from Espana.

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

The Newbie.

This is a team to watch for, not just because they are a debuting team in the league but of their lineup as well. As the Multitled Phenom, Alyssa Valdez will suit up for them. As SVL released tentative lineup, many are asking, “Sino ang libero ng BOC?” this is still questionable up to now.  A lot of new names are included in this team so I considered them as a young yet developing team for now. With their 2-imports, I’m excited to see this team play with Valdez and hoping they overcome the criticism of some that Valdez will only lift this team and this team is not a competing team this season.

Ateneo’s Resugrence: ” Kulang na Kulang pa”

The journey of the Lady Eagles without Alyssa Valdez started in this year’s SVL Collegiate Conference. We saw in their past games how they struggled with the loss of the veterans Alyssa Valdez, Amy Ahomiro and Denden Lazaro, who already graduated and used their 4-5 years of eligibility of playing in the said league.

After a heart breaking UAAP Season 78 for the Lady Eagles, wherein the  9-time UAAP Women’s Volleyball champs, DLSU Lady Spikers redeemed themselves an dethroned the 2-time champs, ADMU Lady Eagles. And days from now, another UAAP Season will start, it would be a signal for different volleyball teams to prepare for the upcoming volleyball games and matches which will be held most likely next year except for beach volleyball.

 

Credits to Tiebreaker Times

With Valdez’s loss a a leader in the court, Jia Morado would likely to replace her  in leadership and Jhoanna Maraguinot will replace Valdez as Ateneo’s new star. But on the ongoing SVL Collegiate Conference, Maraguinot decided not to play to rest for the healing of the injuries she acquired last UAAP Season 78.

This SVL Collegiate conference is just a start of the resurgence of the Katipunan, who formerly topped the standings in UAAP an now trying to regain their lost glory. But based on the performance of the Lady Eagles, they’re not missing Valdez, they have so many potential spikers like Jules Samonte, Kim Gequillana, Ana Gopico, Mich Morente, Maddie Madayag and Pauline Gaston, for me, they’re just missing Denden Lazaro’s floor defense.

KULANG NA KULANG PA?!

Credits to Volleyball PH

In the pasts games of the Lady Eagles, their floor defense is their common flaws aside from the several unforced errors  they commit every game. After a rally started, i will be easily concluded. So far, they have very slow floor defense. I really saw that flaws during their game against UP Lady Maroons. They might won that game, Offense wise, but their floor defense is very slow that’s why UP bested them in that match. And last wednesday, floor defense is really proven to be the most challenging flaws that the Lady Eagles must resolve if they want a complete resurgence. The Lady Tams swept the Lady Eagles finishing with 14 block kills, very impressive in terms of team statistics but it’s a signal for the Lady Eagles to furnish their floor defense. Gizelle Tan can defend but her defense is not that consistent, she needs help from her other team mates. If I were on of the coaching staff of the Lady Eagles, I will train some players not only to be a potential spikers, but defenders too. Coach Tai should also train his first 6 on their floor defense. If 1 player only can defend, your opponent will just take advantage of you. Volleyball is a team sport, not  a one man sport.

THE RESURGENCE

Credits to the Owner of this Picture

There are several potential players for the Katipunan-based squad. With Valdez loss, the Lady Eagles can lean on the offense of Jho Maraguinot, Mich Morente, Ana Gopico, Kim Gequillana, Jules Samonte, Pauline Gaston, Bea De Leon and Maddie Maddayag. They can be an offensive team yet they need to have flawless floor defense and they must lessen their unforced errors every game if they want to get back the stolen UAAP Women’s Volleyball crown.  In my observation as well,  yes Ateneo can be a powerful team in terms of offense, but so far floor defense and unforced errors were their flaws plus the lack of intensity in the game, they are playing happy in the court but for me they really lack intensity in every game.

If the Katipunan-based squad wants a resugence, they need first to flourish their flaws. In my observation, KULANG NA KULANG PA. I’m  a fan o f the Lady Eagles but I’m looking for their intensity in their game that helped them to win a game. But so far, the Lady eagles were still in the adjustment stage after some veteran players already left Katipunan after graduation and playing years in UAAP.

Team Review: San Sebastian Lady Stags

In spite of falling short in the last NCAA Season 91, the San Sebastian Lady Stags is showing continuous improvement with their performances in the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference.

Based on what I observed in the performance of this team in the ongoing SVL Collegiate Conference, they become more solid and  the 2-time NCAA MVP Gretchel Soltones gets help from her teammates like Katherine Villegas , Alyssa Eroa and  Joyce Sta. Rita.

As of now, they are the most SOLID team in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball even though the Lady Blazers of College of Saint Benilde were the defending champs.  I was convinced to formulate this conclusion because of the big wins made by the squad from Recto, they swept the former UAAP Champions, Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles with a comeback win during the 3rd set and beats UAAP Teams like UST.

In spite of felling short in the last NCAA Season 91, the San Sebastian Lady Stags isshowing continuous improvement with their performances in the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Collegeiate Conference.

SOLTONES GETS BACK-UP

In the past NCAA Season, SSC-R swept the elimination but fell down in the hands of CSB Lady Blazers in the Finals series. Some analysts says and Coach Gorayeb always says to the girls from recto, “Tulungan niyo si Gretchel”. It’s been Gretchel Soltones who is the working wonder for the Lady Stag last season. And with the performance of the Lady Stags in the ongoing SVL Collegiate Conference, we saw a solid San Sebastian squad, almost everyone of us were contributing. I also saw some potential players  from them like Katherine Villegas, she is a smart player and can be a scorer too.  Aside from Villegas, Joyce Sta. Rita also shined for the Lady Stags especially in their game against TIP Lady Engineers, where she and Kath Villegas scored in double digits.

If this kind of performance showned by the Lady Stags will continue until the NCAA Season 92 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, they can regain and avenge for their heart breaking loss last season.

EROA’S VAST IMPROVEMENT 

For me this girl gets better and better, in the past wins of the Lady Stags, her defense helped the Lady Stag to earn a victory. Currently, she’s #1 in terms of Digging, and #6 in receiving, not bad for a libero. I was impressed with her performance during their game against UST if I’m not mistaken, she produced 30 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions in a 4-set game.

 

 

Team Review: NU Lady Bulldogs

After it’s ejection in last season’s Final Four in the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the Lady Bulldogs from Sampaloc are now trying to solve their problem with the loss of playmakers in the name of Rica Diolan, Ivy Perez and Azie Soliven. And participating in different leagues and experimenting on some players is one move of the coaching staff of the Bustillos-based squad to regain their lost glory.

With Jasmine Nabor playing as their new play maker, we saw the potential of the Lady Bulldogs to comeback in the next season’s Final Four reign. And with Jaja Santiago being maximized by Nabor, NU has a chance of entering the Finals this UAAP Season 79.

In the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference, we saw how NU thirsts for glory. In terms of team statistics, the Lady Bulldogs were no. 1 in Attacks, Setting ,  and Blocking. While in the Individual statistics, Lady Bulldogs Santiago and Nabor were ranked no. 1 in Blocking and Setting department.

THE CONVERSION OF NABOR

For me, this is a great move from the coaching staff of the Lady Bulldogs. Nabor is also a great spiker and showned a great potential as NU’s starting setter. When Nabor started to play as NU’s main setter, we saw a different NU squad. They really improved in terms of Attacking, their attacks became unpredictable when Nabor started to play as a setter. If Kim Fajardo of DLSU will still play for DLSU next season,  it would be a tight battle for the Best Setter award between Nabor and Fajardo.

In the ongoing SVL Collegiate Conference, Nabor is averaging 13.56 excellent sets per set.

UNSTOPPABLE JAJA

With Nabor maximizing Santiago, Jaja can really be a big threat not only in defense but in offense as well. Aside from being a middle hitter, Jaja can also be an open spiker where she can spike more lethal. When she’s playing as middle hitter, she can use her height to find the open spots in the defense of their opponent and sometimes she’s more unpredictable  when she play as middle because of the combination plays set by Nabor.

 

 

 

My First 6 If I were to be a Coach

Aside from dreaming to be a volleyball player someday,  I also want to be a coach someday. For me to share my God-given talent in the form of Volleyball. If I would be given a chance to coach a team composed of different players coming off the different teams in UAAP, I will choose the following players;

1. ABY MARANO

First and foremost, I will choose the leader of the squad. Out of many players out there, I would be glad if Aby Marano will be the team captain of my dream team. Aside from her swag, I loved her leadership inside the court. When her team is down, she motivates her team mates to continue fighting inspite of being down in terms of set and score.  And as a Coach, I chose her because of the brand of her leadership is. Additionally, Marano was also known for her leadership.

2.  KIM FAJARDO  

Aside from the leader, there must be also a playmaker in the team. The playmaker who’ll be the director behind the plays that my dream team would established.  I know you’ll say that I’m a La Salle Fan because 2 players coming from DLSU is in my list of my dream team. I would be happy and overwhelmed if Kim Fajardo will be the playmaker of my dream team. I chose her to be the setter because she can set well even if the first ball is not too good and she’s an all around player too, she can spike, she can block and  she can serve well. She’s a scorer too, remember she’s the best scoring setter in UAAP.

3. ALYSSA VALDEZ

I didn’t chose this player because she’s famous and well-known. I chose her because of her abilities in skills. It would be a privilege if Valdez would be part of my dream team. In my team, I need a powerful yet intelligent in offense that’s why I chose Valdez. She has the capability to read the floor defense of her opponent that’s why she’s also known for her drop balls. Opponents might misinterpret the approach of Valdez when she attacks, they will thought that it will be a power attack but it will be a dumb ball/drop shot only.  Remember, Offense is not always about power, you just have to be smart sometimes for you to score.

4. AIZA MAIZO – PONTILLAS

In my team, I also want to have a veteran player. A veteran player that will help and teach her team mates her skills, experiences and talents in  playing volleyball. I chose Aiza Maizo- Pontillas because of her lethal lefty spikes and additional leadership as well. She can be a leader too like Marano. And in my team I don’t want that there would be only 1 leader in the team, I want everyone as much as possible to be a leader inside the court. Her experience will help the team’s morale, skills and approach inside the court. I also chose her because of her height, she can be an intimidating factor for the opponents because she is a veteran.

5. ALYJA DAPHNE SANTIAGO

I need more height and offense, Santiago can be a threat not only in the net defense but in the offense of the team as well. She can be an open spiker and a middle hitter as as well. I chose her because of her powerful kills, sharp serves and the intimidating factor of her height. And with her height, she can easily ready the floor defense of the other side.

6. LIZLEE ANN GATA-PANTONE

She’s my favorite libero aside from Denden Lazaro. But in terms of her skills and experience, I would rather chose Lizlee Pantone. I chose Pantone because she has a good defense. And  I chose her because of her “puto”, the way she digs the ball. No matter how far the ball is, she can still dig the ball. That’s why she is considered as one of the best liberos in our country

 

MY LINEUP FOR MY SECOND UNIT:

• Jovelyn Gonzaga/ Cha Cruz
• Rhea Dimaculangan
• Majoy Baron/Kathy Bersola
• Kim Dy
• Bernadette Pons
• Dawn Macandili/ Kath Arado

 

PS. This is my opinion. You can drop your comments or your own insights and suggestions on the comment box below. Thank you! Good day!

When Eagles Cry

This year’s SVL Collegiate Conference, we saw a different Ateneo Lady Eagles. With no Alyssa Valdez in the lineup,  we saw how the girls from Katipunan missed Valdez’ plays and presence in the court as they lost in their first 2 games in the said tournament. During their first game against the TIP Lady Engineers, we saw how powerful the offense of the Lady Eagles but it’s just their floor defense and errors that gives the TIP an advantage to outlast them in a 5-setter game. In their second game against the San Sebastian Lady Stags, their consistency in scoring was tested as the Lady Stag magnificently overcome the 11 pt lead in the 3rd set to seal their victory over the scrambling Lady Eagles.

Before entering the said tournament, they are fresh from Asean University Games where they won a Bronze medal. But that time, they were with the Phenom, Alyssa Valdez.

WHEN EAGLES CRY 

It was strange for the Lady Eagles to see them struggling and missing their seniors in the court. But failures and downfalls are just part of development towards being called as “CHAMPIONS”. Before the Lady Eagles captured their first-ever UAAP Women’s Volleyball crown, they experience to be at the bottom of the standings.

CONSISTENCY AND ERRORS

For me, this is the #1 problem of the Lady Eagles, they lack consistency in their defense and offense. Yes, they have good spikers like Morente, Gequillana, and Samonte but their errors let their opponent to have the advantage instead of them. They have a good setter, but in order for the setter to easily set the ball to the spiker, they must have first a good first ball, which is their problem since Denden Lazaro bid goodbye to the Katipunan squad. And for me I consider their floor defense a reason behind their lost against their arch-rival De La Salle Lady Spikers.  Aside from consistency in defense, they must be also consistent with their attacks or offense.

In their game against TIP, Ateneo committed not less than 50 errors. They almost give an easy 2-sets for the Lady Engineers. That costly gave TIP an advantage to outlast the Lady Eagles in the 5th set of the match.

STEP UP LADY EAGLE!

Here are some players who shined in the first 2 games  of the Lady Eagles:

                                                             PAULINE GASTON

It was a blast for the former Espana-based spiker to lead the Lady Eagles in scoring despite their loss against TIP Lady Engineers. Gaston finished with 17 points in that game, leading the Lady Eagles in the scoring department. She’s just only a sophomore stunner and will be the Future of the Lady Eagles in the next seasons of UAAP.

                                                           JULES SAMONTE

From Green to blue, the rookie Jules Samonte debuted as Middle Blocker substituting Bea de Leon who didn’t play in their first game against TIP Lady Engineers. During that game, Samonte wowed lots of fans with her scoring ability and attacks. Correct me if I’m wrong, Samonte finished 7 points in her debut game in SVL, not bad for a rookie like her.  But in their game against SSC-R Lady Stags, with her team struggling, she stepped up among her seniors and finished the game with 10 pts. Another future of the Lady Eagles, hoping Coach Tai Bundit will develop this girl because she has lots of potential.

RISE SENIOR LADY EAGLES!

credits to the owner of this pic

With Maraguinot still not suiting up for the Lady Eagles in their first 2 games in SVL because of injury, other senior Lady Eagles should step up in their games. The young ones instead stepping up for them just like Pauline Gaston and Jules Samonte. I understand the situation of Morente and Gopico. Morente suiting back for the Lady Eagles after skipping the Last 2 seasons of UAAP because of Academic aspects and for Gopico,  came back for the Lady Eagles after recovering from an ACL Injury. Morente increased her weight that’s why her plays right now is somehow different on what she showned us during her rookie year in Ateneo. For Gopico, since her high school career, she has been known for her power but for now, she still have the power but she lack quickness.

For me,  Coach Tai should replace Gizelle Tan. She can be a good defender but she lack consistency. Coach Tai should train her players in defending well. With Coach Sherwin Meneses, the former mentor of the AdU Lady Falcons, he can get help from him to develop the reception and floor defense of the Lady Eagles.

For the veteran players of Ateneo, Gequillana is showing some improvement. She can already attack from the backrow and her spike were becoming lethal. She can serve well and can be a libero as then. Gequillana, Samonte and Gaston needs support from their team mate. Remember, volleyball is not a one man sport, it’s a team sport.

Downfall of the Champs

“Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”

The Philippine Army Lady Troopers was known in the past years in Philippine Volleyball as one of the Powerhouse team in our country.They were also the team representing the Philippine Army. Some players of the Lady Troopers were former and present member of the Philippine National team. If you would compare them to the other teams, they have more playing experience.

In the previous year, we saw how powerful this team is. In every tournament they joined, sometimes they swept the eliminations and bagged the Championship. But being a Champion team doesn’t mean that your team are always on top. Before you can be called as “Champions”, you need to sacrifice and work for it and being a champion isn’t always about winning, isn’t about how you feud with the struggles that comes to your life. Struggles are just there to test you.

The 4-time Philippine Superliga Champs that we are used to see in a Finals match and on a winning streak, now suffering losing streak and the sad story is they failed to enter the Finals of this year’s PSL All Filipino Conference. It was yesterday when the Lady Trooper bowed down to the young Foton Tornadoes Squad who really showed the veteran team how powerful they are.

“A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. “

I’m  also a fan of the Lady Troopers and I know as a Champion Team  they will try and try to regain their lost glory and I know in the next few conferences and tournaments that they will join, they can bring back the intensity of their game.

Heads up RC Cola Army Lady Troopers! I know you can rise again above all odds.

7/8 UAAP Schools to Clash in SVL Collegiate

Different informations spread throughout the net about the upcoming Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference which will commence on the last day of July. I saw a post of Jannie Gavile about the Confirmed teams and colleges who will participate in this year’s SVL Collegiate Confrence. I’m not sure if it’s legit but I’m hoping it is legit.

 

A screenshot of Gavile’s Post 

Hoping this is not a hoax, I love seeing UAAP Schools competing against each other and competing against the powerhouse team coming from the different Collegiate-ranked leagues like NCAA and etc. If this info is legit, UE will have a comeback in Shakey’s V-League their last appearance in said league was in SVL Season 3.

Another exciting factor is, 7/8 of UAAP Schools were participating in this season’s Collegiate conference. The UAAP defending champs, DLSU Lady Spikers is busy playing for F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in Philippine Superliga.

Warriors turned Champions

First and fore most, I would like to Congratulate the Pocari  Sweat Lady Warriors  for bagging the 1st Championship for their franchise and to the players who shown great effort to have a comeback win over the hungrier Air Force Lady Jet Spikers.

Since the start of the league, the lady warriors were already my bet for SVL Championship. And now, my bet turned to be the Champions of this year’s SVL Open Conference. How can I conclude early if  the Lady warriors were composed of Michele Gumabao, Melissa Gohing, Myla Pablo and Gyzelle Sy, multi-awarded and former UAAP Players.

ROAD TO CHAMPIONSHIP

The Lady Warriors almost sweep the elimination round it’s just that they fell short in their last assignment which are the runners-up, the Lady Jet Spikers in 4 sets. But in the semis, the lost to Bali Pure water Defenders in their first game and swept the next two games to seal their slot for the Championship contetion.

KEY TO CHAMPIONSHIP

•  STRONG OFFENSE – If you were ask me on who is the Best Spikers in the tournament, Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors is the best answer. For they have the powerful offense coming from Elaine Kasilag and Finals MVP, Myla Pablo. And sometimes Kasilag and Pablo gets help from Gumabao.

 

• FLOOR DEFENSE  –  For me, this is the #1 key on why Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors became the champs. I was amazed on how Melissa Gohing played during their finals series against the Lady Jet Spikers. Their opponent tries to find empty sport in Pocari’s court but they can’t because Gohing is all around the defense of Pocari Sweat.

 

• NET DEFENSE –  For me, the middle blockers of Pocari Sweat were very effective in terms of blockings. Special credits to Desiree Dadang and Lutgarda Malaluan.