PVL On Tour makes historic Lanao del Norte stop

The PVL On Tour Showdown makes its first visit to Lanao del Norte on Saturday, August 15, with four teams set to play at the Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium in Tubod.

Farm Fresh faces Nxled at 4 p.m., followed by defending champion PLDT against Akari at 6:30 p.m.

A huge crowd is expected for the doubleheader as the league brings professional volleyball closer to fans in the province.

The Lanao del Norte stop is part of a seven-leg preseason tour designed to expand the Premier Volleyball League’s reach beyond Metro Manila while helping teams prepare for the coming season, according to the PVL.

Scattered thunderstorms and a 35 percent chance of rain are forecast, but the weather is not expected to disrupt either match.

The games come a week after adverse weather forced the league to postpone its scheduled matches in Santiago City, Isabela.

Nxled enters the opening match on a two-game winning streak after beginning its campaign with a loss to Creamline.

Farm Fresh is seeking its first victory in the short preseason series after suffering a four-set defeat to Galeries Tower.

The well-rested Foxies will try to halt the momentum of the Chameleons and finally break into the win column.

Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti witnessed the province’s enthusiasm for volleyball during a meet-and-greet at Kapatagan National High School.

More than 1,000 students and fans attended the school event, leaving the Italian coach surprised by the turnout.

“It’s amazing. I was shocked about how many kids, how many volleyball lovers there were in that school. I was trying to figure it out, but they looked more than 1,000,” said Guidetti, who also relished the opportunity to experience the local culture, music and food.

“And now the people are really in love, especially with girls’ volleyball, and thank God it’s been my work since I was 19. So this is really nice. The venues are completely full. The people are sharing. They have their favorites, but at the same time, they keep cheering because they want the game to maybe go to a fifth set, to see them play more and more,” he added.

Farm Fresh will look for a stronger performance from Trisha Tubu after she scored six points against the Highrisers.

Veterans Ara Galang, Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Riri Meneses, Roselyn Aquino and Mylene Rezanova give the Foxies a mix of leadership and experience.

Nxled will counter with Myla Pablo, MJ Phillips, EJ Cariño, Jonah Escamillan, Lyann de Guzman, Jovelyn Fernandez, Jackie Acuña and Chiara Permentilla.

Ace playmaker Gel Cayuna is expected to direct the Chameleons’ offense.

The second match features a PLDT squad that opened its campaign with a four-set victory over Choco Mucho in Vigan.

Akari rebounded from a setback against ZUS Coffee by defeating Choco Mucho in South Cotabato.

PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said the postponement of the team’s Isabela match disrupted its buildup, but the High Speed Hitters remain committed to maximizing their final On Tour assignment.

“Medyo unfortunate yung hindi natuloy ang Isabela game para sana makumpleto namin yung pag-build up,” said Ricafort. “Pero nandito na tayo sa last game, hindi pa rin namin siya ite-take na kailangang daanan lang. Talagang pinaghahandaan namin, pinagtrabahuhan namin nang husto. Kahit mabilis yung naging transition mula doon sa na-cancel, kasama na rin siya sa pag-ready namin kasi ilang weeks na lang, Invitationals na after.”

“Basta ang naging mindset namin going into the On Tour ay i-treat siya na regular conference pa rin. So yung trabaho namin and yung kailangan naming i-improve, yun pa rin yung daily goals namin. Sayang na hindi nakumpleto, pero I think yung preparation namin hindi naman masyadong nagkulang. Sana lumitaw pa rin ang mga trinabaho,” he added.

The Lanao del Norte stop carries special significance for PLDT captain Kath Arado, an Iligan native returning to play before the community that helped shape her volleyball career.

“Ang saya. Noong nanood nga ako nung videos, naalala ko ulit yung araw na naglaro. Parang na-reminisce ko lahat and at the same time, sobrang proud kasi first time ito. Very happy talaga yung heart ko kasi ang ganda rin nung ganitong PVL, yung On Tour na every province talaga mapupuntahan namin, lalo na yung iba na hindi kayang pumunta sa Manila or hindi talaga nila kayang panoorin yung idols nila,” said Arado.

“Ito na rin yung give back sa mga fans na laging sumusuporta sa amin. Sobrang happy kasi naalala ko dati same lang ako sa kanila na ini-idolize yung mga ate dati and hoping makita sila. Ito na yung parang give back ko rin, lalo na sa Lanao na isa rin sa tumulong sa akin mag-grow at maging kung ano meron sa akin ngayon,” she added.

Arado said Lanao del Norte has consistently supported volleyball and other sports even when events in the provinces receive limited national exposure.

“Actually, lahat ng sports very supportive, especially volleyball. Kasi hindi ganun na-introduce sa media yung mga provinces na may iba na hindi afford yung ganito. Since ilang taon na ako naglalaro – high school days ko pa lang – very supportive na ang Lanao sa ganitong events. Tama naman sila, pag nakita niyo Lanao, babalik at babalikan niyo talaga.”