December 09, 2024

PVL TRACKER: Here comes a new challenger

PVL TRACKER: Here comes a new challenger
Photos (c) One Sports

It's been a pretty noisy off season for the PVL with all the twists and turns. This is a handy guide of what's happening in the PVL carousel before the 2024 season officially begins.

Do take note that we'll only be listing the official announcements as they get published (as of February 5, 2024).

 

CIGNAL HD SPIKERS

In: Dawn Macandili-Catindig (F2 Logistics), Jovelyn Fernandez (F2 Logistics)

Out: Bia General, Anngela Nunag, Jerrili Malabanan

December 22, 2023: The Cignal HD Spikers, who finished third in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference, were the first to announce their F2 Logistics acquisition in multi-titled libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig

January 3, 2024: It came at a cost, as Cignal bids goodbye to liberos Bia General and Gelai Nunag, along with outside hitter Jerrili Malabanan

On the same day, the HD Spikers announced they were getting yet another FEU Lady Tamaraw in UAAP Season 85 Best Opposite Spiker Jovelyn Fernandez, who was also a member of the disbanded Cargo Movers. 

 

AKARI CHARGERS

In: Grethcel Soltones (Petro Gazz), Ced Domingo (Creamline), Max Juangco (FEU)

Out: Jorge Souza de Brito

December 14, 2023: Brazilian tactician Jorge Souza de Brito stepped down as head coach of the Akari Chargers after their seventh place finish in the Second All-Filipino Conference. 

December 28, 2023: The shakeup was imminent, as coach Takayuki Minowa of sister team Nxled Chameleons became director of volleyball operations for both squads

January 3, 2024: Their first pasabog of the year? Picking up veteran outside hitter Grethcel Soltones from the Petro Gazz Angels. 

January 6, 2024: Akari lands another big fish, securing the commitment or former Finals MVP Ced Domingo after her exit from Creamline. 

January 23, 2024: The Chargers anchor their players by announcing assistant coach Raffy Mosuela as the interim head tactician for the upcoming conference. While coach Takayuki Minowa oversees the training and the conditioning of both Akari and Nxled, it will be up to Mosuela and his team to lock down the tactics.

February 1, 2024: Sports agency VP Global Management confirmed Akari libero Justine Jazareno will be taking a leave of absence to focus on her pregnancy.

February 5, 2024: To compensate for Jazareno's absence, the Chargers have signed FEU Lady Tamaraws libero Max Juangco.

 

CHOCO MUCHO FLYING TITANS

In: Mean Mendrez (PLDT), Bia General (Cignal), Mars Alba (F2 Logistics), Royse Tubino (PLDT)

Out: Caitlin Viray, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Bea de Leon

January 3, 2024: The Choco Mucho Flying Titans shared a sign that a shakeup was imminent, even after their silver medal finish in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference. The start was announcing the departure of opposite spiker Caitlin Viray.

January 5, 2024: The rumbling continued for the Flying Titans, as Choco Mucho bid goodbye to Ateneo Iron Eagle and longtime libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla, who took a backseat to Thang Ponce during the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference.

An hour later, the Flying Titans also said farewell to middle blocker and longtime team captain Bea de Leon.

January 8, 2024: In a bigtime announcement, Choco Mucho confirmed reports that they signed up outside hitter Mean Mendrez from the PLDT High Speed Hitters, libero Bia General from the Cignal HD Spikers, and setter Mars Alba from the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.

January 15, 2024: The Flying Titans decided they were not done yet, announcing the signing of Royse Tubino to fortify their wings and experience.

 

CHERY TIGGO CROSSOVERS

In: Ara Galang (F2 Logistics), Aby Maraño (F2 Logistics), Nette Villareal (Gerflor)

Out: Bingle Landicho, Jaycel delos Reyes, France Ronquillo, Jaila Atienza

January 2, 2024: The rookies made quite an entrance for the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference, but the fourth-placed team has joined the F2 Logistics sweepstakes and will be getting some veteran guidance from outside hitter Ara Galang

They're also getting an experienced leader in former F2 Logistics captain Aby Maraño. It's a much-needed boost for the Crossovers, following the injury suffered by young middle blocker Imee Hernandez.

January 9, 2024: The Crossovers then made room in their roster by letting go of libero Bingle Landicho, middle blocker Jaycel delos Reyes, and opposite spiker France Ronquillo, who saw limited minutes in the previous conference.  

January 15, 2024: Chery Tiggo also bid farewell to their UP Fighting Maroon and middle blocker Jai Atienza.

January 16, 2024: In return, the Crossovers announced they have signed up middle blocker Nette Villareal, an FEU standout who last played for the embattled Gerflor Defenders.

 

PETRO GAZZ ANGELS

In: Ethan Arce (F2 Logistics), Mary Joy Dacoron (F2 Logistics), Mich Morente (PLDT), Myla Pablo (F2 Logistics), Brooke van Sickle (University of Hawaii), Koji Tsuzurabara

Out: Grethcel Soltones, Des Clemente, Heather Guino-o, Dzi Gervacio

January 2, 2024: The Petro Gazz Angels get their hand in the F2 Logistics sweepstakes, signing middle blockers Ethan Arce and Mary Joy Dacoron as the team looks to rebuild following a tough 2023 season to their frontline, losing a resurgent Ranya Musa to injury, and mainstay MJ Phillips trying her hand overseas in Korea.

But Petro Gazz will have bigger shoes to fill as veteran outside spiker Grethcel Soltones will be wearing the black and pink of the Akari Chargers.

January 4, 2024: The Angels are not done though as they picked up opposite spiker Mich Morente from the PLDT High Speed Hitters

January 5, 2024: Petro Gazz might just have the person to fill Soltones' shoes. And they found it in familiar territory, welcoming back outside hitter Myla Pablo to the fold after her stint with F2 Logistics.

January 9, 2024: By Tuesday, the Angels let go of three more players middle blocker Des Clemente, opposite spiker Heather Guino-o, and outside spiker Dzi Gervacio.  

January 20, 2021: The Angels weren't done and announced they have signed indoor and beach volleyball veteran Brooke van Sickle, who used to suit up for the University of Hawaii.

January 21, 2024: Petro Gazz then completed the puzzle with Japanese tactician Koji Tsuzurabara, who previously helmed the youth team of Vietnamese squad Kinh Bac Bac Ninh and and Japan's Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler.

 

NXLED CHAMELEONS

In: Ivy Lacsina (F2 Logistics), Jai Atienza (Chery Tiggo)

December 29, 2023: Coach Takayuki Minowa has worked wonders with the debut of the Nxled Chameleons, finishing ninth with a 4-7 record in the Second All-Filipino Conference. They hope to build upon that with the impressive acquisition of Ivy Lacsina.

Ivy has proven to be a flexible weapon for the Cargo Movers, by switching between middle blocker and outside spiker. Imagine what else she can do under the tutelage of coach Minowa. 

January 23, 2024: Nxled wasn't quite done just yet, as they signed up young middle blocker Jai Atienza from the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, vowing to give her the opportunity to shine.

 

PLDT HIGH SPEED HITTERS

In: Kim Fajardo (F2 Logistics), Majoy Baron (F2 Logistics), Kianna Dy (F2 Logistics), Shiela Kiseo (FEU)

Out: Anj Legacion, Mean Mendrez, Mich Morente, Royse Tubino, Lut Malaluan

December 30, 2023: Making room?

The PLDT High Speed Hitters have also dropped hints of a revamp, as the squad parted ways with setter Anj Legacion, opposite spiker Mich Morente, and outside hitter Mean Mendrez.   

There could be big announcements soon.

January 5, 2024: The first big announcement turned out to be Kim Fajardo, dialed up by the High Speed Hitters as PLDT gets its hand on the F2 Logistics sweepstakes.

January 6, 2024: The second big announcement is Majoy Baron, as the decorated middle blocker improves what is already a formidable frontline for PLDT.

January 7, 2024: By Sunday, the Taft towers were complete with star opposite hitter Kim Kianna Dy seemingly fired up to re-enter the court after her injury. 

January 16, 2024: PLDT made further cuts as they bid goodbye to outside hitter Royse Tubino and middle blocker Lut Malaluan.

January 20, 2024: The High Speed Hitters then infused new blood to their roster, signing up outside hitter Shiela Kiseo from the FEU Lady Tamaraws.

 

FARM FRESH FOXIES

In: Hideo Suzuki (Kurashiki), Chinnie Arroyo (F2 Logistics), Elaine Kasilag (F2 Logistics), Jaycel delo Reyes (Chery Tiggo), Janel Delerio (UST), Ypril Tapia (UST), Julia Angeles (Galeries Tower), Caitlin Viray (Choco Mucho), Jolina dela Cruz (F2 Logistics), Anj Legacion (PLDT)

December 24, 2023: In one of the most intriguing moves before 2023 ended, the Farm Fresh Foxies announced they will be tapping Hideo Suzuki as a consultant. And for good reason, the Japanese coach for the Kurashiki Ablaze beat the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Invitational Conference. That's more than enough reason to keep an eye on this young squad.

January 13, 2024: The Foxies teased they would be announcing nine recruits to boost their 2024 campaign. They started by picking up outside hitter Chinnie Arroyo from the disbanded F2 Logistics, vowing to provide her with ample playing time.

They also signed up Arroyo's teammate and opposite spiker Elaine Kasilag.

The Foxies also picked up middle blocker Jaycel delos Reyes from the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.

A second chance was also provided to UST libero Janel Delerio and outside hitter Ypril Tapia, who last played together in UAAP Season 84.

The Foxies also got libero Julia Angeles from the Galeries Tower Highrisers.

And in a big-time drop, Farm Fresh completed the recruitment haul with Choco Mucho opposite spiker Caitlin Viray, F2 Logistics outside hitter Jolina dela Cruz, and PLDT setter Anj Legacion.

 

CREAMLINE COOL SMASHERS

In: Denden Lazaro-Revilla (Choco Mucho), Bea de Leon (Choco Mucho)

Out: Ced Domingo

January 5, 2024: The Cool Smashers’ haul of MVPs are now down by one, with the many-time PVL champions announcing the departure of middle blocker Ced Domingo.

January 6, 2024: The champs get their first acquisition for the new season, picking up veteran libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla from Choco Mucho. Hours later, the Cool Smashers confirm the signing of Bea de Leon, making it a sort of reunion of the UAAP Season 77 Lady Eagles at Team Good Vibes.

 

GALERIES TOWER HIGHRISERS

In: France Ronquillo (Chery Tiggo), Shola Alvarez (F2 Logistics), Renee Mabilangan (NU), Alyssa Eroa (Marikina)

January 11, 2024: The young Galeries Tower Highrisers join the PVL carousel during the off-season, as they sign up opposite spiker France Ronquillo from Chery Tiggo, service specialist Shola Alvarez from the disbanded F2 Logistics, along with setter Renee Mabilangan from the National University. 

Will this help them move up from 11th place?

January 15, 2024:  Alyssa Eroa joins Galeries, marking the PVL comeback for the veteran and decorated libero after a couple of seasons away.

 

CAPITAL1 SOLAR SPIKERS

In: Roger Gorayeb, Jannine Navarro (Nxled), Heather Guino-o (Petro Gazz), Rovee Instrella (F2 Logistics), Aiko Urdas (Army), Jorelle Singh (PLDT), Ja Lana (UE), Jel Quizon (UE), Arianne Layug (Chery Tiggo), Bingle Landicho (Chery Tiggo), Renesa Melgar (Galeries Tower), Des Clemente (Petro Gazz), Shyra Umandal (Gerflor), May Macatuno (Cignal), Cathrina Dizon, Sydney Niegos, Kath Villegas, Rica Rivera

January 25, 2024: The PVL officially welcomed its newest team, the Capital1 Solar Spikers, owned by Mandy and Milka Romero. The squad will be helmed by San Sebastian tactician Roger Gorayeb.

They have yet to trim down their final roster, but the Solar Spikers have already introduced a few players in their press conference--middle blocker Jannine Navarro from Nxled, as well as opposite spikers Heather Guino-o from Petro Gazz, Rovee Instrella from F2 Logistics, Aiko Urdas from Army, and Jorelle Singh from PLDT.

February 1, 2024: The renamed Solar Spikers announced they have signed up UE stalwarts Ja Lana and Jel Quizon, along with Chery Tiggo's Arianne Layug and Bingle Landicho, Galeries Tower's Renesa Melgar, Petro Gazz's Des Clemente, Gerflor's Shyra Umandal, and Cignal's May Macatuno. They also recruited Cathrina Dizon, Sydney Niegos, Kath Villegas, and Rica Rivera.

 

WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE TEAMS AND PLAYERS?

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