VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Elite volleyball serves up fans in the north as the Premier Volleyball League unveils its two-month-long pre-season showcase with the opening salvo of the PVL on Tour at the newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art Chavit Coliseum here on Sunday.
Four teams from Pool B take the spotlight in this weekend’s kickoff, headlined by multi-titled powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers, in what promises to be a thrilling and competitive opening salvo. Joining them are the Cignal HD Spikers, the Akari Chargers, and a revamped Capital1 Solar Spikers side in the two-day series backed by One Ilocos Sur.
While seasoned stars continue to draw fanfare, it’s also a stage for the league’s promising rookies and rising sophomores eager to prove their mettle – a timely treat for fans yearning for volleyball action following the highly successful PVL All-Filipino Conference last April.
Creamline, still reeling from a runner-up finish to Petro Gazz in the All-Filipino Finals, takes center court at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, facing a souped-up Capital1 side under a new coach. The opening game at 4 p.m. pits Cignal and Akari in a duel between squads with contrasting off-season narratives and renewed aspirations.
“This first leg of the PVL On Tour marks more than just the beginning of our pre-season tournament – it symbolizes a meaningful connection between the sport and the community, between the players and the fans, between our league and its future,” said PVL president Ricky Palou.
“Four of the top teams in the league are here, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive tournament. These teams aren’t just competing; they’re here to inspire, to connect and to engage,” he added.
Expect the Cool Smashers to deploy a formidable lineup led by team captain Alyssa Valdez, who remains the emotional leader and key spark plug of the franchise. Adding youthful firepower are new acquisitions middle blockers Sheena Toring and Nica Celis, who are eager to make their presence felt early in the campaign.
“We’re really excited to go around the Philippines and experience the culture of every province we visit and meet the volleyball community,” said Valdez. “But at the end of the day, we’re still here to compete – we hope to give our best for the fans.”
Capital1 enters a new era under Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who replaces longtime mentor Roger Gorayeb, now serving as team consultant. While top overall pick Bella Belen is unavailable due to national team duties, the Solar Spikers have bolstered their core with veteran campaigners Jerrili Malabanan, KC Galdones and Rachel Austero, and holdovers Trisha Genesis, Iris Tolenada and Roma Mae Doromal.
Cignal, meanwhile, looks to bounce back from a turbulent previous conference with a revitalized roster. Key additions Erika Santos and Tine Tiamzon, along with prized rookie Erin Pangilinan, are expected to make immediate impact, backed by core players Gel Cayuna, Ishie Lalongisip and Roselyn Doria.
Akari, fresh from back-to-back podium finishes, continues to build around the dependable trio of Grethcel Soltones, Ivy Lacsina and Kamille Cal. With head coach Tina Salak temporarily unavailable, assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo takes over on the bench, aiming to maintain their team’s consistency and chemistry.
The PVL on Tour format injects added intrigue and suspense to the pre-season festivities. The 12 participating teams are divided into two pools with Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, PLDT, Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh and Nxled making up Pool A.
Joining Creamline, Cignal, Akari, and Capital1 in Pool B are Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee
After a single round-robin preliminaries from June 22 to July 29, the top two teams from each pool will gain outright entry to the quarterfinals. The third to sixth placers, however, face a high-risk knockout play-in round to determine the remaining quarterfinal slots – making every match a potential turning point.
This means even early results can reshape the playoff picture, and teams can go from front-runners to elimination threats in a matter of days. A single bad game can cost a title shot; a surprise upset can flip the script.
From there, the tournament transitions to a win-or-go-home format – with single-elimination semifinals and medal matches, culminating in a championship showdown for both the PVL on Tour title and quarterfinal berths in the PVL Invitational set Aug. 19–29, where the top teams will clash with two guest squads.
For the league, the PVL On Tour is about much more than wins and losses. It’s also about bringing the sport to people who have supported the PVL from afar.
On Monday, action continues with Cignal vs. Capital1 at 4 p.m., followed by Creamline vs. Akari at 6:30 p.m. – two more matchups expected to shake up the early standings.
As rivalries reignite and new stories unfold, one thing is certain – the PVL On Tour is volleyball with heart – a league on the move, connecting the country one city at a time.
