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Category: Volleyball

  • Faith Nisperos ‘really excited’ to suit up again for Akari after long injury layoff

    Faith Nisperos ‘really excited’ to suit up again for Akari after long injury layoff

    Former University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) standout Faith Nisperos is set to make her long-awaited return to competitive action for the Akari Chargers in the upcoming 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, following an extended absence due to a serious knee injury.

     

    The former UAAP star was sidelined for the entirety of last year’s PVL On Tour preseason tournament as well as the Reinforced Conference, a frustrating stretch that tested Nisperos both physically and mentally. The injury not only halted her momentum on the court but also forced her into an unfamiliar role—watching from the sidelines as her team battled through the season without her.

     

    Despite the challenges, the 26-year-old outside hitter credited her Akari teammates for helping her navigate the long road to recovery. Nisperos shared that the constant support she received during rehabilitation played a crucial role in keeping her motivated during one of the most difficult periods of her career.

     

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    “I will be suiting up for this conference, so I’m so excited. It’s been tough. ‘Yun nga, I was sidelined kasi nga I’m injured. Now that I’m back, I’m really happy kasi I got the support of my teammates. They were supportive of me, and they were always cheering me on during rehab,” Nisperos said in a media interaction.

    While the physical toll of injury was significant, Nisperos admitted that the emotional strain of being unable to compete alongside her teammates was equally difficult. Still, she found ways to turn the experience into a learning opportunity, gaining new insights by observing the game from a different vantage point.

     

    “Siyempre, ‘di naman maiiwasan yung want as an athlete to be part of the team playing talaga. As I was outside watching them play, it was still productive for me kasi ang dami kong natutunan – new perspective for me,” she added.

     

    Now cleared to return, Nisperos is eager to translate those lessons into impact on the court. She believes that the time spent watching and analyzing from the sidelines has given her a deeper understanding of the game and an added edge as she rejoins the Chargers’ rotation.

     

    “Siyempre, nandyan yung motivation, the extra motivation. From watching sa side tapos not even be able to do anything volleyball-related, sobrang bago sa akin yung gano’ng experience. Now that I’m back, I’m just really excited. All the learnings na nakuha ko from just watching, I think I can apply naman this time,” she concluded.

     

    Nisperos’ return comes at a crucial time for Akari, who will be looking to make a strong statement early in the All-Filipino Conference. The Chargers open their campaign against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Saturday, January 31, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan—setting the stage for Nisperos’ much-anticipated comeback under the bright lights once more.

     

     

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  • “There are applicants”: Ricky Palou on potential new PVL teams

    “There are applicants”: Ricky Palou on potential new PVL teams

    The 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season is set to tip off this weekend, with the league officially opening its calendar on Saturday, January 31, as the All-Filipino Conference preliminary round gets underway at the FilOil Center in San Juan City.

     

    While the new season marks another chapter for the country’s top professional volleyball league, this year’s All-Filipino Conference will feature a reduced field of 10 teams. The downsized lineup follows the exit of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in December last year and the Petro Gazz Angels, who announced earlier this month that they would be taking a leave of absence from league play.

     

    Despite the departure of two established franchises, PVL president Ricky Palou expressed confidence in the league’s stability and long-term growth, revealing that several companies have already shown interest in joining the competition.

     

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    “Dalawa nga, Cebu-based. But we are not just gonna let them come in that easy. We have to also study what capabilities they have, will they be able to stay with the league for a longer period of time,” Palou said during the PVL’s press conference in Ortigas.

     

    Palou emphasized that while expansion remains a goal, the league is taking a cautious approach in evaluating potential new teams to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.

    “If they are financially capable of maintaining a team that long. Those are the things we are looking at right now. But there are applicants,” he added.

     

    According to Palou, should the evaluation process move smoothly, newly approved teams could begin competing as early as the next PVL conference, signaling the league’s openness to gradual expansion. He also clarified that the PVL continues to keep the door open for Petro Gazz, which recently captured the 2025 Reinforced Conference title before announcing its temporary exit.

     

    “They still want to be part of the league. So we are in talks with them on possible sponsorships. They are willing to still be involved in the activities of the league,” Palou continued.

     

    The PVL has seen multiple teams and franchises step away from the league since 2021, sparking ongoing discussions about the financial demands required to sustain a professional volleyball team. Rising operational costs—ranging from player salaries and coaching staff to logistics and marketing—have become a growing concern for team owners.

     

    Palou acknowledged these challenges and revealed that the league has been actively discussing ways to ease the financial burden on its member teams.

     

    “Internally, we have been discussing some issues on how we can do to actually help the teams. We know it is getting more expensive for the teams to keep up, keep their teams together. I understand teams are now spending like P60, P75-million a year in maintaining a team. To us, this is a concern. We’d like to have the teams reduce the expenses and right now we are in talks on how to do this,” he concluded.

     

    As the 2026 season begins, the PVL finds itself balancing growth with sustainability—aiming to preserve the league’s competitive level while ensuring that franchises are financially equipped for long-term participation. With discussions ongoing and potential new teams on the horizon, league officials remain optimistic that the PVL can continue to evolve while addressing the realities of operating a professional sports league in the country.

     

     

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  • Choco Mucho leans on depth as Maddie Madayag set to miss early All-Filipino games

    Choco Mucho leans on depth as Maddie Madayag set to miss early All-Filipino games

    Choco Mucho’s 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference will begin with a familiar test—not of talent, but of resilience.

     

    The Flying Titans are expected to open the conference without veteran middle blocker Maddie Madayag, with head coach Dante Alinsunurin confirming that the two-time PVL Best Middle Blocker will sit out “a few games” as she continues her recovery. Madayag’s absence was noticeable during the team’s recent training camp in Thailand, prompting questions about her availability heading into the season.

     

    “Wala pa muna [si Maddie] ng ilang games. Nagre-recover pa siya,” Alinsunurin said on Wednesday, while assuring that Madayag is still expected to return later in the conference.

     

    While Choco Mucho has yet to disclose a specific injury, the Flying Titans were cautious with Madayag late in the Reinforced Conference, when she dealt with minor knee swelling. Her minutes were closely managed during the preliminaries to avoid aggravating the issue—an approach that now appears to have extended into the early part of the All-Filipino tilt.

     

    For Choco Mucho, navigating missing pieces has almost become part of its identity.

     

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    In recent seasons, the Flying Titans have had to juggle absences and limitations, from Kat Tolentino, Deanna Wong, and Dindin Santiago-Manabat dealing with fitness concerns to Sisi Rondina being pulled into Alas Pilipinas duties. Each conference demanded on-the-fly adjustments, often forcing the coaching staff to reshuffle rotations.

     

    This time, however, Alinsunurin believes the team enters the challenge better prepared.

    “Sobrang thankful ako sa binigay ng management na tao sa’kin na sinupportahan kami kung ano ‘yung nagiging problema namin every conference,” he said.

     

    “At least may tatlong tao ako sa bawat position na ready talaga anytime na gamitin ko. Kung anuman ‘yung mangyari, may maipapalit ako.”

     

    That sense of security stems from Choco Mucho’s offseason additions, highlighted by the arrival of Eya Laure, Caitlin Viray, Alina Bicar, and middle blocker Jaila Atienza—moves aimed at building insulation against early setbacks like Madayag’s absence.

     

    Still, the Flying Titans will lean on a retooled frontline after parting ways with Aduke Ogunsanya and Cherry Nunag. Younger middle blockers Lorraine Pecaña and Jen Villegas, alongside newcomer Atienza, are now tasked with holding the fort at the net until Madayag is cleared to return.

     

    That trio is expected to see immediate action when Choco Mucho opens its All-Filipino Conference campaign against Akari on January 31—likely without one of its most established pillars, but with renewed confidence in its depth.

     

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  •  “I’m really excited to see how much the league has changed”: Jia De Guzman on PVL return

     “I’m really excited to see how much the league has changed”: Jia De Guzman on PVL return

    Philippine women’s national volleyball team captain Jia De Guzman is set to make her long-awaited return to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), reuniting with her former club, the Creamline Cool Smashers, after nearly two years competing overseas with the Denso Airybees in the Japan Volleyball League (JVL).

     

    De Guzman’s homecoming marks the end of an extended international stint that saw her pursue elite competition abroad while simultaneously carrying the responsibility of leading the Alas Pilipinas program. Now back in the country’s top professional league, the veteran playmaker is embracing both the familiarity of Creamline and the new realities of a PVL that has evolved significantly during her absence.

     

    “Actually, I have been out of the PVL for almost three years now, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t watching as the other teams continued to evolve. I’m really excited to see how much the PVL has changed, and I’m more than ready to embrace the challenge. We are all excited to play,” De Guzman said in a media interaction.

     

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    The last time De Guzman suited up for Creamline was during the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference, where the Cool Smashers fell short in the knockout title game against Japanese guest team Kurashiki Ablaze. Since then, the competitive landscape of the league has shifted. Creamline, once the league’s dominant force, was unable to defend all of its championships last year, while several players across the league have emerged as bona fide superstars.

     

    Among them are reigning Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle, PLDT High Speed Hitters standout Savannah Davison, Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen, and ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles’ rising middle blocker Thea Gagate—names that now define a deeper, more competitive PVL.

    “With all of the teams stepping up, with a new Creamline team coming together, I’m also trying to find my way with the team to hopefully share my international experience in the PVL. But at the same time, whatever the team needs from me, I will be ready to support and do my best to deliver,” she added.

     

    De Guzman’s return also adds another layer to Creamline’s already potent roster, particularly in the playmaking department. During her absence, setter Kyle Negrito emerged as a key figure for the Cool Smashers, helping stabilize the team and maintain its championship contention. Rather than viewing the situation as a competition, De Guzman emphasized unity and flexibility within the squad.

     

    “Whatever the coaches ask from us, whether it’s me inside or Kyle inside, we are just really ready to support each other. In the same way that we have a lot of liberos, but whoever’s inside is always supported by those on the outside,” Guzman continued.

     

    While away from the PVL, De Guzman continued to build an impressive résumé overseas. She played a pivotal role in leading the Denso Airybees to the 2023–24 Japan V.League Division 1 Women’s V.Cup title, showcasing her ability to thrive against world-class competition. She capped her stint in Japan with a silver medal finish at the prestigious 72nd Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament, further cementing her status as one of Asia’s elite setters.

     

    Her impact was felt just as strongly on the international stage. As captain, De Guzman steered the Philippines to a historic silver medal finish at the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Nations Cup—marking the country’s first podium finish in an Asian women’s volleyball tournament in 64 years and signaling a new era for the national program.

     

    Now back in the PVL, De Guzman brings not only invaluable international experience but also a legacy of sustained excellence with Creamline. Her trophy haul includes eight PVL Best Setter awards, four PVL Finals MVP honors, and seven PVL championships with the Cool Smashers—credentials that make her return one of the most significant storylines of the season.

     

    With De Guzman once again orchestrating the offense, Creamline looks poised to reassert itself amid a league that is deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever—setting the stage for a compelling new chapter in PVL history.

     

     

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  • PVL, PNVF eye targeted tryouts to strengthen Alas Pilipinas Women—not reset it

    PVL, PNVF eye targeted tryouts to strengthen Alas Pilipinas Women—not reset it

    The next chapter for Alas Pilipinas Women is shaping up to be one of refinement, not reinvention.

     

    As the Premier Volleyball League and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation move closer to a joint venture, PVL president Ricky Palou made it clear that the planned invitational tryouts for the national team are meant to build on what already exists, not wipe the slate clean.

     

    With former head coach Jorge Souza de Brito no longer part of the program, questions naturally surfaced about whether the women’s national team was headed for a major overhaul. Palou pushed back on that idea, stressing that the initiative is designed to complement the current core rather than disrupt it.

     

    While the upcoming tryouts will involve both professional and collegiate standouts, Palou emphasized that this will not be an open call.

     

    “The tryouts for the national team are not open tryouts. There will be tryouts but they [PNVF] will invite players to try out for the national team. It’s not going to be open to everybody,” Palou said.

     

    “The coaching staff will choose which 20 or 30 players will try out for the national team. It’s not really open to everyone.”

     

    For now, much of the structure remains a work in progress. The format, timeline, and even the coaching staff that will oversee the process are still being finalized, underscoring that the collaboration is very much in its early stages.

     

     

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    Rather than sparking concern, the prospect of a wider—but controlled—talent pool has been largely viewed as a step toward long-term stability for the Alas Women program, especially as the international calendar continues to grow more demanding.

     

    Team captain Jia de Guzman welcomed the idea in principle, even as her immediate focus remains on club duties with the PVL season about to tip off.

     

    “Of course, Alas is the national team of the Philippines so we want to have the best of the best at pasok sa sistema ng magiging coach,” de Guzman said.

     

    “The tryouts are also welcome but we do not have all the details yet. Right now kasi, we’re about to start the PVL club season so all of the focus is here. If there are more details in the future, we’ll hear it from the PNVF.”

     

    From the league’s standpoint, PVL control committee chairman Sherwin Malonzo echoed that sentiment, framing the tryouts as an opportunity rather than a disruption—not just for pros, but for elite collegiate players as well.

     

    “It’s a welcoming opportunity for our PVL athletes and it’s also extended to other leagues like the UAAP and NCAA,” Malonzo said.

     

    “It’s a way of beefing up the Alas team for the coming years. I hope our players will still take that opportunity and try out.”

     

    As plans continue to take shape, the message from all sides is consistent: the goal is not a reset, but a smarter, more sustainable path forward for Alas Pilipinas Women.

     

     

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  • Myla Pablo, MJ Phillips lead Nxled’s veteran-youth push ahead of All-Filipino Conference 

    Myla Pablo, MJ Phillips lead Nxled’s veteran-youth push ahead of All-Filipino Conference 

    Nxled is embracing a new chapter built on balance—where championship pedigree meets youthful hunger—and at the center of that transition are Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips, two veterans eager to help lift the Chameleons from the league’s lower tier and into contention in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

     

    Fresh off Petro Gazz’s decision to take a leave of absence, Pablo and Phillips arrive at Nxled alongside a core of Angels players who captured both the All-Filipino and Reinforced Conference titles last season. For a team coming off a winless campaign, the move signals a clear shift in direction: rebuild with experience, but grow with youth.

     

    For Pablo, a two-time MVP and five-time Best Outside Hitter, the challenge is exactly what excites her most. She sees Nxled’s young core—led by Lyann De Guzman and Mayang Nuique—not as a gap to be filled, but as an opportunity to build something sustainable.

     

    “And sabi ko nga sa inyo, yung young players, maganda talagang i-mix yan sa mga veterans kasi yung mga young players, mataas yung energy nila at may gustong patunayan,” said the 32-year-old outside hitter.

     

    “Kami, as veterans, mas magulang na rin maglaro. I think naman magiging maganda yung kalalabasan namin this conference, and siyempre, with Coach Ettore na grabe din yung focus sa amin bilang team.”

     

    Pablo believes leadership goes both ways. While she hopes to guide Nxled’s rising talents, she is just as eager to draw inspiration from their energy and fresh approach.

     

    “Ako, sobrang excited din, especially na makakasama ko yung mga young players. Excited din ako na may matutunan ako sa kanila, and also, as a veteran talaga, I hope na may matutunan din sila sa akin.”

     

    That shared growth will be shaped under Italian head coach Ettore Guidetti, whose international background has already left a strong impression on Pablo.

     

    “I’m really excited din with Coach Ettore—kung paano siya magpa-training. I know na bagong sistema, pero for sure naman hindi rin mahihirapan kasi una, naging Filipino coach naman, Japanese, American, and ngayon Italian. So I’m really happy and excited,” she said.

     

    “Ako, sobrang excited din naman sa mga training namin with Coach Ettore kasi kami naman, kailangan talaga maganda yung trabaho mo—kasi kung maganda yung trabaho mo, magiging maganda yung performance mo.”

     

     

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    Alongside Pablo, MJ Phillips brings size, defensive presence, and Finals-tested composure to the middle. The two-time Finals MVP is embracing Nxled’s underdog identity, confident that the team’s mix of veterans and youth can surprise the league.

     

    “Yeah, Nxled, they came from the bottom, or one of the bottom teams. So it’s gonna be a challenge, but we’re all up for it,” Phillips said.

     

    “Like she said. I mean, also, who doesn’t like an underdog story? Honestly, I think it’d be great. So, we’re up for the challenge.”

     

    Early practices have already given Phillips reason for optimism. She noted the competitiveness in training and the willingness of players—young and old alike—to buy into the system.

     

    “I just want Nxled to, I’m excited for us to challenge the other teams a little bit more. Like she said that, like, we’ve been having a couple of practices with the full Nxled team right now and it’s been really competitive in the gym,” Phillips said.

     

    “The girls are really easygoing. So I think the jelling process is gonna be pretty easy and quick. So, I’m excited.”

     

    Phillips is also eager to learn under Guidetti, calling his international résumé a major draw in her decision to join the Chameleons.

     

    “And I’m excited for an Italian coach. I’ve never been under an Italian coach before. And he has a strong background with coaching. So I feel like I have a lot to learn from him.”

     

    The familiarity of reuniting with former Petro Gazz teammates has helped ease the transition, turning what could have been a rebuild into a fresh start with chemistry already forming.

     

    “And yeah, I’m just glad that a lot of the Petro Gazz girls are with me still. And to be able to be with new players, it’s just like a fresh start. And I’m like really excited for what we have to showcase next.”

     

    With Pablo’s leadership, Phillips’ presence in the middle, and Guidetti’s structured system, Nxled isn’t just hoping to move on from the bottom—they’re aiming to redefine who they are.

     

     

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  • Rachel Daquis joins ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles after leaving Farm Fresh Foxies

    Rachel Daquis joins ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles after leaving Farm Fresh Foxies

    In a move that has sent ripples through the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles pulled off what many are calling a coup by signing Filipino volleyball veteran Rachel Daquis from sister team Farm Fresh Foxies. The versatile hitter became a free agent in 2025, opening the door for a high-profile transfer between the two teams.

     

    Daquis, a standout for the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), initially signed with Farm Fresh in October 2024 amid high expectations following more than a year-long hiatus from competitive play. However, despite her vast experience and decorated career, she struggled to find regular playing time with the Foxies, who opted to give younger attackers a chance to develop.

     

    The move was closely monitored by league officials, with PVL control committee chairman Sherwin Malonzo clarifying why the transfer was approved despite the two teams being sister squads.

     

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    “Dumaan sa akin ‘yung move last year. Finished contract si Daquis. Nag-free agent siya after pero she decided to sign with ZUS. As a free agent, she is free to choose the team she wants to transfer to,” Malonzo explained, emphasizing that Daquis’ status as a free agent made the transfer fully compliant with league rules.

    The PVL has long maintained a structured “showcase period” to manage free agent movements and prevent conflicts of interest, particularly between sister teams. Initially set at one month at the end of 2024, the period was eventually reduced to 15 calendar days to streamline player transitions and ensure competitive balance.

     

    “Ang huling usapan namin, isang buwan ang showcase period pero masyadong matagal. Tapos nauwi nga sa 15 calendar days. I think that was the last, so we will just publish it and then eventually release it by the end of the year in 2024,” Malonzo added, underscoring the league’s efforts to maintain transparency and fairness in player movements.

     

    Daquis’ resume speaks volumes about her impact on the court. Beyond her FEU exploits, she has accumulated numerous individual and team honors throughout her career and represented the Philippine women’s national volleyball team from 2015 to 2017. Her combination of skill, leadership, and experience makes her a major asset for the Thunderbelles as they aim to climb the PVL standings.

     

    Off the court, Daquis has already begun laying the groundwork for life after volleyball. In September 2023, she attended a prestigious coaching clinic in the United States, gaining insights into advanced training methods and team management. She has also pursued her passion for culinary arts, enrolling at the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCAHM) in Quezon City—an institution founded by the father of her former Cignal teammate, Vanie Gandler.

     

    With her unique blend of experience, versatility, and off-court ambition, Rachel Daquis’ arrival at ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles is more than just a player transfer—it signals a renewed competitive push for the franchise, and a veteran presence capable of mentoring younger players while elevating the team’s championship aspirations.

     

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  • ZUS Coffee reloads with five additions ahead of All-Filipino Conference 

    ZUS Coffee reloads with five additions ahead of All-Filipino Conference 

    Momentum has become a valuable currency for ZUS Coffee, and the Thunderbelles are clearly intent on cashing it in heading into the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference. 

     

    After turning heads in the previous conference, the league’s once-overlooked squad is leaning into growth rather than standing pat, reshaping its roster with a calculated mix of prime contributors and battle-tested leaders.

     

    On Monday, ZUS Coffee formally unveiled five new reinforcements — Cess Robles, Renee Peñafiel, Karen Verdeflor, Chie Saet, and Rachel Daquis — signaling an aggressive push to transform last season’s breakthrough into sustained contention. The announcement underlined the franchise’s belief that progress demands both fresh legs and steady hands.

     

    “Let’s make it official! Welcome to the ZUS Coffee family, Karen Verdeflor, Ren Peñafiel, Cess Robles, Chie Saet, and Rachel Anne Daquis! Tuloy ang trabaho! Tuloy ang laban,” the team wrote in a Facebook post.

     

    At the center of that influx is Robles, who arrives from Chery Tiggo with the profile of a scorer capable of carrying stretches of offense. 

     

     

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    Her addition gives head coach Jerry Yee another reliable option on the wing, while Peñafiel and Verdeflor bolster the team’s depth with versatility across multiple rotations, particularly on defense and serve reception.

     

    The Thunderbelles’ makeover is not just about production, but presence. Daquis, after a quiet stint with Farm Fresh, brings a familiar voice into the locker room as she reunites with longtime friend Jovelyn Gonzaga. 

     

    Alongside veteran setter Chie Saet, she adds experience and composure to a group that learned quickly last season but still felt the growing pains of youth.

     

    These newcomers slot into a foundation that is already taking shape, anchored by Cloanne Mondonedo’s playmaking, the continued rise of Thea Gagate, and the steady contributions of AC Miner, Alyssa Eroa, Riza Nogales, Chinnie Arroyo, and Gonzaga. 

     

    With continuity now paired with credibility, ZUS Coffee enters the All-Filipino Conference not as a feel-good story, but as a team intent on proving its surge was no fluke.

     

     

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  • Petro Gazz’s exit from PVL may be temporary as franchise leaves door open for return

    Petro Gazz’s exit from PVL may be temporary as franchise leaves door open for return

    The sudden absence of Petro Gazz from the PVL raised more questions than answers — but team officials insist it may not be the end of the Angels’ story.

     

    In a recent appearance on Noli Eala’s Power and Play, team manager David Dichupa hinted that the franchise’s withdrawal from the league might only be a temporary pause. When asked if a comeback was possible, Dichupa didn’t hesitate: “There’s a very big chance.”

     

    That optimism is rooted in a key detail: Petro Gazz never officially folded. Even as merger talks with Nxled fell apart, the organization consistently described its decision as a leave of absence, not a dissolution. That distinction may seem subtle, but it keeps the franchise’s future open.

    “Walang sinabi na hindi pwede or pwede. I guess it’s an open thing. If we come back, we ask permission to come back again and join up,” Dichupa said.


     “We did not disband the team, technically. [It was a] leave of absence.”

     

    However, Petro Gazz’s return is not guaranteed. Any comeback would depend on the league’s stance and the PVL board’s approval — a process Dichupa acknowledged is still in motion. 

     

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    “Nothing final on that. When the time comes, I guess we’ll have to see what goes sa decision ng board,” he said.

     

    While the franchise’s future remains undecided, its former players are already forging new paths. Dichupa appealed to the Angels’ loyal fanbase to keep supporting the athletes who once wore Petro Gazz colors, even as they move on to new teams.

     

    “I hope the fans continue to be supportive of our players, the ones who came from Petro Gazz, even though some of them have gone to other teams. Angels pa rin ‘yan kumbaga,” he said.

     

    For now, Petro Gazz is not disappearing from Philippine sports. The organization continues to support La Salle’s men’s basketball and men’s volleyball programs, keeping its presence alive even without a PVL team.

     

    Dichupa added that discussions with the PVL are ongoing, as the franchise explores ways to remain involved with the league while it considers a potential return to competition.

    The question now isn’t whether Petro Gazz is gone — but whether their hiatus is simply a pause before the next chapter.

     

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  • Farm Fresh adds six SGA signings for 2026 PVL All-Filipino tilt 

    Farm Fresh adds six SGA signings for 2026 PVL All-Filipino tilt 

    Farm Fresh didn’t just tweak its roster this offseason — it rewired it.

     

    As Strong Group Athletics (SGA) finalizes the placement of its 10 new signings ahead of the 2026 PVL season, the Foxies emerged as the biggest beneficiaries, landing six players in one decisive sweep. The move positions Farm Fresh as one of the most transformed teams entering the new year, both in depth and balance.

     

    Joining the Foxies are Ara Galang, Royse Tubino, Mylene Paat, Imee Hernandez, Bia General, and Remy Palma, a group that collectively fills almost every gap on the roster. It’s a deliberate rebuild rather than a patchwork fix — one that touches offense, defense, leadership, and experience.

     

    At the center of that shift is Palma, who is set to take on a unique dual role as playing assistant coach, working alongside her former Petro Gazz mentor Koji Tsuzurabara, pending his confirmation as head coach. Beyond her on-court contributions, Palma is expected to anchor a frontcourt that will now feature several new pieces.

     

    For Galang, Paat, and Hernandez, the move also represents long-awaited stability. The trio finally finds new homes following Chery Tiggo’s disbandment last December, closing a period of uncertainty and reopening the door to consistent competition.

     

    Tubino and General, meanwhile, turn the page after separating from a retooled Choco Mucho lineup earlier in the offseason, giving Farm Fresh additional versatility on the wings and in the backcourt.

     

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    On paper, the Foxies’ new look is strikingly complete:

    • Tubino slots in as a natural outside hitter 
    • Paat reinforces the opposite position 
    • Galang adds a reliable two-way presence 
    • Palma and Hernandez fortify the middle 
    • General shores up the libero role 

    Notably, the only spot left untouched is the setter position, already stabilized by the tandem of Alohi Robins-Hardy and Louie Romero — a sign that Farm Fresh’s overhaul was targeted, not indiscriminate.

     

    With Farm Fresh claiming the lion’s share of SGA’s additions, the remaining four signings are set to bolster ZUS Coffee, led by veteran setter Chie Saet and former Chery Tiggo standouts Cess Robles, Renee Peñafiel, and Karen Verdeflor.

     

    As the PVL landscape continues to shift in the wake of team exits and offseason realignments, Farm Fresh’s aggressive reload stands out. It’s a clear statement: the Foxies aren’t just adding names — they’re building a new identity for 2026.

     

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