PVL opens 10th season with new format in Cebu

Games Oct. 10
(SM Seaside Cebu Arena)
1 p.m. – Capital1 vs. Choco Mucho (PVL)
3:30 p.m. – Alpha Insurance vs. Savouge (Spikers’ Turf)
6 p.m. – Creamline vs. Akari

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 Saturday, Oct. 10, at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena.

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 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 managed a seventh-place finish in last year’s Reinforced Conference as its best showing so far.

With Belen and former Cignal aces Gandler and Santos now leading a deeper lineup, 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 faces Capital1 at 1 p.m. in the opening-day blockbuster.

The Flying Titans also enter 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 explosive firepower capable of changing the complexion of a match in an instant.

Opening-day action culminates at 6 p.m. with another heavyweight clash as Creamline faces Akari.

The Cool Smashers begin the season chasing a 12th championship with 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 offensive corps capable of challenging any defense.

Sandwiched between the two PVL matches will be the Spikers’ Turf opener between Alpha Insurance and Savouge at 3:30 p.m.

For the men’s league, the shared opening provides a bigger stage, broader audience and greater momentum as it continues to expand its reach.

For fans, the setup offers more of the country’s top volleyball talent under one roof.

The elaborate opening ceremonies in Cebu are part of organizer 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 doubleheader offers a full day of women’s and men’s volleyball.

The occasion takes on added significance as both the PVL and Spikers’ Turf celebrate their 10th seasons.

Beyond the star-studded opening day, however, the PVL’s bold new format could define its milestone campaign.

For the first time, the All-Filipino Conference will be divided into three distinct series — Siklab, Sigla and Sinag — creating a seasonlong championship race that places a premium on winning, 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.

The accumulated points will determine the teams’ overall rankings and seeding heading into the final stage.

Every match, and potentially every victory, will therefore 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.

As the league enters its 10th season, the PVL is not simply opening another campaign but embarking on a new championship race designed to make every stage, point and victory count.