CEBU City – The stars will be out, the crowds will be roaring, and the stakes will be higher than ever as the Premier Volleyball League kicks off its landmark 10th season on Saturday (Oct. 10) at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena here.
Creamline and Choco Mucho are expected to draw the usual throngs of loyal supporters who have followed their teams and turned their players into household names. But a new crowd favorite could emerge in Capital1, which enters the season armed with a roster packed with star power, depth and talent.
At the center of the Solar Spikers’ transformation is Bella Belen, who brought her UAAP pedigree to an impressive rookie campaign last season. This time, she will be joined by established stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, giving Capital1 a formidable frontline that could rank among the league’s most imposing.
Janel Maraguinot and Jasmine Nabor will alternate at setter, giving the Solar Spikers multiple options as they look to make their offense hum from the opening serve.
Capital1, which joined the PVL in 2024, has so far managed a seventh-place finish in last year’s Reinforced Conference as its best showing. With Belen and former Cignal aces Gandler and Santos now leading a deeper lineup, however, the Solar Spikers are determined to make a quick leap from also-ran to championship contender.
They will get an immediate test from Choco Mucho, which plays Capital1 at 1 p.m. in the opening-day blockbuster.
The Flying Titans are also coming into the season with a roster built to contend, led by Eya Laure, Sisi Rondina and a deep supporting cast that includes Kat Tolentino, Isa Molde, Dindin Manabat, Maddie Madayag, Des Cheng, Ysa Encarnacion and Mean Mendrez. Deanna Wong, Ali Bicar and Christine Ubaldo give Choco Mucho depth at setter.
Laure is eager to get the new campaign going, while Rondina provides the kind of explosive firepower that can change the complexion of a match in an instant.
The opening-day action culminates at 6 p.m. with another heavyweight clash as Creamline faces Akari.
The Cool Smashers begin the season not only chasing a 12th championship but also seeking to validate a lineup built around Jema Galanza, Bernadette Pons, Tots Carlos, Michele Gumabao and crowd favorite Alyssa Valdez. They will be backed by Bea de Leon, Lorie Bernardo and new recruit Ishie Lalongisip.
Akari, meanwhile, brings an equally potent arsenal, with Ivy Lacsina, Eli Soyud, Faith Nisperos, Grethcel Soltones, Fifi Sharma, Ced Domingo and Jyne Soreño forming an explosive offensive corps capable of challenging any defense.
Sandwiched between the two PVL matches will be the opening-day contest in the Spikers’ Turf, with Alpha Insurance and Savouge facing off at 3:30 p.m.
For the men’s league, the move opens the door to a bigger stage, a broader audience, and even greater momentum as it continues to elevate and grow the sport. For fans, it means an even bigger volleyball experience – with more of the country’s top talent coming together under one roof, making every trip to the arena that much more exciting.
The elaborate opening ceremonies in Cebu are part of the organizing Sports Vision’s continuing push to broaden the reach of professional volleyball. Bringing the season opener to the Queen City of the South underscores the sport’s growing following beyond Metro Manila, while the marquee double-header promises a full day of action for fans of both the women’s and men’s leagues.
The occasion is made even more significant by the fact that the PVL and Spikers’ Turf are both celebrating their 10th season.
But beyond the star-studded opening day, it is the PVL’s bold new format that could define its milestone season.
For the first time, the All-Filipino Conference will be divided into three distinct series – Siklab, Sigla and Sinag – creating a season-long championship race designed to place a premium not only on winning, but also on consistency, depth and endurance.
The first two series will each crown a champion while awarding standings points that will carry over to the third and final series, Sinag. Those accumulated points will determine the teams’ overall rankings and seeding heading into the final stage.
That means every match – and potentially every victory – will carry added significance as teams build toward the ultimate prize: the Philippine Grand Championship.
The new setup gives teams more opportunities to compete, opens the door for more players to make an impact and creates a longer, more demanding path to the season’s ultimate crown.
And with the league entering its 10th season, the message is clear: the PVL is not simply opening another campaign. It is embarking on a new championship race designed to make every stage, every point and every victory count.
