The PSL-AFC Epilogue: Eight memorable stories (told in pictures as well) – Part 1 of 2

It started with a simple rookie draft and ended with a bang.

The Philippine Super Liga (PSL) made huge inroads this 2014 and while we are still a little high from the grandeur of the recently concluded finale, we also look forward to more excitement this coming September when the second edition of the PSL Grand Prix takes centerstage. Who will the imports be? Will there be new franchises joining the league? Will more of those who went into hiatus makes their presences felt? That, of course, will all be known very soon.

For now, however, let’s look back at the highlights and a few unfortunate incidents that helped shape the country’s only club volleyball league and how it made a defining impact in the sport as we know it today.

1. The First Ever Rookie Draft

This was a big deal as the PSL finally streamlined how aspirants would enter the league, and while there were still a few who found the direct route, the rookie draft institutionalized a process wherein come 2015 a phalanx of would-be next level players would also be thrust into the limelight even before they hit the courts for the first time with their new mother teams.

Arriving at the process was tedious as league officials, led by commissioner Dr. Ian Laurel knocked their heads together for many long days and long nights before attaining that initial template to base everything on. What was the criterion? What were the exceptions? What were the restrictions? How was free agency to be defined? Was it too early for a collective bargaining agreement? Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

There was also the issue about the existing franchises’ “protect 10” list, which was under scrutiny for a long time leading up to the first round of meetings with team officials.

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Then the many meetings with team managers ensued coming with many questions, objections and even condescension. They wanted what was best for their respective teams and the league also had to look after its interests. Eventually many loose ends were threshed out and the final team managers’ meeting determined the draft order.

On April 2, 2014 at the NBA Café in Taguig City, Petron made NU stalwart Din-Din Santiago the top overall pick in the draft wherein nineteen of the 24 applicants found a new home to further pursue their volleyball dreams.

2. The Luau: Everyone was Game to Shoot their Opening Videos

I guess no one really took it seriously at first, but when word went out that there was to be a grand “luau” at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country last May 13th, all the players and team officials came “dressed” for the occasion.

In the past, the PSL launch parties were held at posh establishments in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) area where in air conditioned environments the party atmosphere was soaked up and the revelry went well into the night. This time around, it was at a pool side with fire dancers, an outdoor buffet and volleyball players garbed in beach attire. Along with the dressed-down clothing, teams were informed that they would be involved in the shooting of their own videos for the upcoming opening ceremonies.

This was the highlight of the whole affair.

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Air Asia, the newest team in the women’s division, spent the better part of the night rehearsing their intricate dance moves, while men’s division newcomers Instituto Estetica Manila (IEM) provided the most impromptu performance by making use of several props and creating an entire skit akin to “Who’s Line Is It Anyway” but non-verbally.

The camaraderie and creativity displayed by all those present set the stage for perhaps the grandest opening rites the league has ever had.

3. Opening Day: New Venue, New Hope

Originally, the PSL-AFC was slated to begin on March 29th. But hitches in the “Protect 10” lists, the draft mechanics and the beautiful that was the Philippine’s hosting of the Asian Men’s Club Championship prompted league officials to postpone the opening of the 2014 season.

The wait was worth it as PSL officials decided that the historic Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City would be the league’s new home and in the “christening” brought out pomp unseen before with an elevated ramp stage and a multimedia collage that dazzled everyone in attendance, most especially the players themselves.

It’s not every day that one sees Cagayan Valley skipper Angge Tabaquero in her tribal outfit, or former two-time UAAP MVP Aby Maraño turning heads as a flight attendant, but it was all in the spirit of the moment and once again the PSL elevated an opening shindig into a glitzy undertaking.

Of course, there was a double-header that followed suit and the women’s opening tiff between the Rising Suns and the Flying Spikers gave the initial inkling that a new set of crowd-darlings were born.

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4. The Biggest Draws: Air Asia and Din-Din Santiago

We all know the massive popularity of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers over the past decade. When news started spreading that there would be a collection of players from this perennial champion program in the UAAP joining forces to enter the PSL, the anticipation hit the proverbial roof.

True enough, it happened.

Maraño, Wensh Tiu, Mika Esperanza and resurrected “Miss Everything” Cha Cruz teamed up with PSL veterans Maureen Penetrante-Ouano, Stephanie Mercado, Michele Gumabao and Melissa Gohing and became instant headliners as Air Asia was the most watched squad in the league. Thousands would fill the Cuneta Astrodome to the rafters just to witness these former collegiate heroines make waves. For a moment, they looked invincible as they won their first two contests. When the other teams began adjusting to their strengths, the crowd made sure that they would play a factor; making each Flying Spikers match feel like a title tiff.

But there was another individual also grabbing headlines, but this time with a brand of play that could put her in the same conversation as names like Wes Unseld and Wilt Chamberlain in basketball and Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry in football.

Many knew of Santiago exploits as a collegian as well as a “Gamova” type figure in the Shakey’s V-League. But when the burly 6’2” quicker made her debut in the league, no one ever expected her to achieve demigod status so quickly. Santiago opened with a 37 point outing against the start-studded PLDT Home TVolution Lady Power Attackers en route to Petron claiming its first victory of the season. That single game output eclipsed the old record of 36 points, ironically held by Petron’s Japanese import Shinako Tanaka last year. Santiago followed that performance up with a 31 point showing in her next game and then a 23 pointer in the next. All three conquests were triumphs. That’s 91 points in a mere three matches.

Santiago had become the league’s bersion of George Mikan practically overnight.

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Let’s tackle the other half in the next edition of this article, shall we?

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