The Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix (Women’s Division) Primer #2: Roster Updates

I have to now be particular about addressing this tournament as the Men’s Division will also debut with four teams participating. I will do a separate piece on them prior to the opener.

But first, I have a few quick updates on the squads that will be seeing action in the upcoming Philippine Super Liga (PSL) Grand Prix starting this Sunday, November 10 at the San Juan Arena: some changes in the rosters have happened.

Remember that the line-ups (which are sent to Yahoo! Sports Philippines by the league office) are all still works in progress and that being the case, some names appear then disappear in a later version. The thing I’ve noticed so far is that the rosters of the TMS-Philippine Army, Cagayan Valley, Cignal and Petron have remained unchanged:

TMS-Philippine Army:

Jacqueline Alarca

Mary Jean Balse

Nerissa Bautista

Joanne Bunag

Michelle Carolino

Dahlia Cruz

Rachel Anne Daquis

Jovelyn Gonzaga

Teresa Iratay

Angela Nunag

Genie Sabas

Tina Salak

Winitchaya Luangtonglang (THA)

Yuki Murakoshi (JPN)

ALSO READ: Confusion reigns over Philippines' SEA Games participation

Cagayan Valley:

Joy Benito

Leuseht Dawis*

Wenneth Eulalio

Charlene Gillego

April Jose

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas

Alarmie Puylong

Jen Reyes

Sandra de los Santos

Paulina Soriano

Angeli Tabaquero

Rosemarie Vargas

Wanida Kotruang (THA)

Patcharee Sangmuang (THA)

*Dawis has been included in the Rising Suns' line-up although she is still a student—in fact, the varsity's team captain—for the University of the East. According to sources, Cagayan Valley has reached an agreement with the Lady Warriors allowing her to suit up in the PSL GP, but the league has not issued a statement on this and thus is not yet official. I will update you all soon on this development.

Cignal:

Rapril Aguilar

Arriane Argarin

Michelle Datuin

Jheck Dionela

Rossan Fajardo

Danika Gendrauli

Lilet Mabbayad

Lutgarda Malaluan

Maureen Penetrante-Ouano

Abigail Praca

Chie Saet

April Sartin

Li Zhan Zhan (CHN)

Xie Lei (CHN)

Petron:

Kara Acevedo

Karla Bello

Camille Cerveza

Angeline Gervacio

Melissa Gohing

Gretchen Ho

Michelle Laborte

Carmela Lopez

Stephanie Mercado

Maica Morada

Michelle del Rosario

Joanna Torrijos

Shinako Tanaka (JPN)

Misao Tanyama (JPN)

ALSO READ: Globalport sends Holstein to San Mig for Chua, Najorda

In the case of PLDT, they have included veteran setter and former national team campaigner Rubie de Leon in their line-up. However, only twelve (12) players are in their official roster and are still two players short of the maximum. True to Head Coach Roger Gorayeb’s style, he may submit the final two names at the eleventh hour. So far, here’s what they got:

PLDT:

Angela Benting

Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone

Nica Guliman

Lou Ann Latigay

Rubie de Leon

Charmaine Moralde

Lourdes Patilano

Shermaine Peñano

Suzanne Roces

Charo Soriano

Kaylee Manns (USA)

Savannah Noyes (USA)

What strikes me about this line-up is the presence of three setters in Manns, de Leon and Patilano and only three open-spikers in Noyes, Benting and Latigay. I wouldn’t be surprised if this line-up still evolves tomorrow. But don’t expect those last two spots to be filled by college wunderkinds Din-Din Santiago and Alyssa Valdez. No such miracle of that nature will happen here--but I can't really guarantee it.

The mystery roster belongs to the new kids on the block: RC Cola.

Originally they had the UST trio of Judy Caballejo, Rhea Dimaculangan and Maika Ortiz in their line-up, along with veterans Joy Cases and Wendy Semana. Somehow, they have disappeared from the official line-up, and RC Cola has also submitted to the league office a full line-up of fourteen (14) players.

Before I get to their official roster, I had to opportunity to speak to Head Coach Ronald Dulay on the reason why his key veterans are no longer in the new line-up attained by Yahoo! Sports Philippines today (November 6th).

ALSO READ: UFL: After four red cards, Air Force walks out on Stallion; Agila win

“Originally the Philippine Air Force (the home club of the five aforementioned players) agreed to tie up with our team for the PSL,” Dulay bared before their team practice at the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) gym, in the vernacular. “But a new order came out from their commanding officer directing them to concentrate on the upcoming AFP Olympics and have opted out of participating in this tournament.”

It’s a big blow for Dulay and RC Cola as the vast experience of the five ladies might have installed them as the tournament’s dark horse. But it's also a big blow to Caballejo, Dimaculangan, Ortiz, Cases and Semana. We all know they really want to play here, but orders are orders, I guess.

Dulay has found a way, however, to plug the holes and has been able to assemble a pretty strong line-up that has a few “box office” draws. Here it is:

RC Cola:

Hezzymie Acuña

Michiko Castañeda

Bernice Co

Carmela Garbin

Jill Gustilo

Decia Montero

Jed Montero

Southlyn Ramos

Ivy Remulla

Cindy Velasquez

Zharmaine Velez

Giza Yumang

Sontaya Keawbundit (THA)

Zhang Minghua (CHN)

I’m actually quite excited to see three former UP Lady Maroons in the roster (but you all already know I’m a #ProudIsko)!

Ramos has been synonymous to UP women’s volleyball and since the early departure of Jed Montero (due to a major ankle injury and subsequent showbiz career), South has been the face of the program.

But Jed is back, contrary to what I wrote just yesterday (credibility takes a hit).

Like Petron’s “Attorney” Dzi Gervacio, Jed has found a way to balance her busy schedule to accommodate her primary passion and her reunion with South and Michiko would probably make Carmela Lopez a little envious that her former teammates have joined forces anew. There are also three former stars of the College of St. Benilde coming together again in PSL Invitationals veteran Giza Yumang, former Meralco Power Spiker Zhar Velez and the return of 6’1” Cindy Velasquez; one of the most feared blockers in the NCAA during her time there.

RELATED: The Philippine Super Liga Primer Grand Prix #1: The Debutants and New Alliances

UST fans, however, will celebrate the return of one of their most iconic Tigresses in Bernice Co.

Co is one of those who has blended her stunningly good looks with incredible volleyball abilities and was a catalyst in the Tigresses’ success in the UAAP during her collegiate career.

In fact, the mere presence of Bernice, South and Jed on the floor together could automatically make them the crowd darlings, but I’m sure Daquis, Ho, Datuin and a phalanx of other volleybelles may have something to say about that.

My next primer will deal with the imports (yeah, I know I said that last time, but the line-up changes were groundbreaking—at least in my opinion).

For now, soak in these official rosters and I’ll see all of you tomorrow (November 7th) at URBN in The Fort for the PSL GP Fan Night. Come ready to party coz it’s gonna be a grand one.

Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@NoelZarate) and email sportztackle@yahoo.com