The 2024 PVL season officially starts this February 20 with the All-Filipino Conference.
There's still 12 teams, but it's a whole new ball game with the entry of the Capital1 Solar Spikers and the Strong Group Athletics. Not to mention the free-wheeling carousel that was the PVL off-season.
[ALSO READ: PVL TRACKER: Here comes a new challenger]
Here's the top five matches you should totally save for a PVL date, either with your special someone, your volleyball besties, or for some self love.
February 20 | Tuesday | PhilSports Arena
4 p.m.: Petro Gazz vs Strong Group Athletics
Could this be the rise of the dark horses?
The Petro Gazz Angels have put the league on notice after dispatching the Cignal HD Spikers in the finals of the PNVF Champions League.
Coach Koji Tsuzurabara is making slow and steady steps to put the Angels back on top, and Brooke Van Sickle may just be the key to do it.
[ALSO READ: PVL: How Kalei Mau, Lindsey Vander Weide led Brooke Van Sickle to Petro Gazz]
Oh, and did we mention MJ Phillips may be catching up to Petro Gazz soon?
In their path in this PVL opener is the Strong Group Athletics. There isn't much known about this squad, since it was just newly announced as the sister team of the Farm Fresh Foxies.
How quickly can this new team gel?
March 16 | Saturday | Santa Rosa Sports Complex
6 p.m.: Akari vs Nxled
It's going to be an interesting sister act when the Akari Chargers take on the Nxled Chameleons. After all, Japanese coach Takayuki Minowa has been seeing both of the squad's training as director of volleyball operations.
Akari had to make adjustments, with Max Juangco taking over libero duties from Justine Jazareno.
Even though they were stunned by collegiate squad Adamson Lady Falcons in five sets at the Akari Cup finals, there's still plenty of promise with this young squad, bolstered by Lady Beast Grethcel Soltones and interim coach Raffy Mosuela.
There will be some questions raised though with the Chameleons, who will be starting the conference without Ivy Lacsina.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Ivy Lacsina targets March debut for Nxled as she recovers from knee injury]
But if coach Taka's system means anything, maybe the Chameleons can repeat their victory over the Chargers.
March 23 | Saturday | Ynares Center, Antipolo
4 p.m.: Farm Fresh vs PLDT
Farm Fresh and PLDT were among the noisiest teams during the off-season, as the Foxies hauled nine players bannered by Jolina dela Cruz and Caitlin Viray. PLDT, meanwhile, took in the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers trio of Kim Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, and Kim Fajardo, along with a couple of FEU Lady Tamaraws.
On paper, these two squads look impressive with their offseason haul. But remember, Jolina dela Cruz is still recovering from surgery. So is KKD from her injury. And as confirmed by coach Rald Ricafort, there's no Mika Reyes for this conference either.
So it will be interesting to see the fruits of Master Shimizu's intense training with the Farm Fresh Foxies, who got their first victories last conference, thanks to the chemistry of Louie Romero, Trisha Tubu, and Kate Santiago.
[ALSO READ: Ganbatte! PVL teams are embracing the Japanese system and why it's a good thing]
How will that go up against the analytical system of coach Rald Ricafort, who still has Savi Davison in his corner, along with two wily setters in Rhea Dimaculangan and Kim Fajardo, along with a master floor specialist in captain Kath Arado?
April 4 | Thursday | PhilSports Arena
6 p.m.: Chery Tiggo vs Cignal
We've seen what these two teams can do during the bronze medal series of the 2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference.
We've seen what their new and improved squads can do, as Aby Maraño and Ara Galang squared off against former F2 Logistics teammates Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Jov Fernandez in the PNVF Champions League.
Cignal won silver in that pre-season tournament, while Chery Tiggo came home with the bronze.
Imagine the fireworks in Round 3.
April 18 | Thursday | Smart Araneta Coliseum
6 p.m.: Creamline vs Choco Mucho
We just want to witness a repeat of the 2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference finals. That's it really.
The Cool Smashers dominated last time by sweeping the entire conference, taking down the much-improved Flying Titans.
But it's going to be a bittersweet moment, seeing longtime ube girls Bea de Leon and Dennise Lazaro-Revilla wearing pink.
[ALSO READ: PVL | Denden Lazaro-Revilla feels good vibes with Creamline: 'Ang gaan lang sa loob']
One thing's for sure. BDL's wish to play with Michele Gumabao inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum will become a reality.
[ALSO READ: PVL | Bea De Leon bares heart in move to Creamline: ‘I feel like I need to grow again’]
Choco Mucho didn't slouch during the off-season too, picking up Mars Alba, Mean Mendrez, Bia General, and Royse Tubino.
It's gonna take a bit of adjustment to learn coach Dante Alinsunurin's system, but expect hampasan season to turn into bardagulan by the end of it.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Why Choco Mucho recruits look up to Sisi Rondina]
The PVL games will air starting February 20 on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.