PVL Siklab tests revamped rosters as Season 10 opens

CEBU CITY — More than a fresh offering for its milestone 10th season, the Premier Volleyball League’s Siklab opening leg promises an early test of how quickly revamped rosters can come together.

With free agency and the rookie draft reshaping lineups across the league, the All-Filipino Conference opens Saturday, Oct. 10, at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena with new faces, new combinations and, for several teams, vastly different looks.

The result could be an unpredictable season opener as the country’s premier volleyball league marks a decade of competition.

Teams took markedly different approaches to strengthening their rosters during the offseason.

Some opted for continuity, while others aggressively addressed their biggest needs through free agency and the rookie draft, adding talent capable of immediately changing their fortunes.

No team, however, made a louder statement than Capital1.

The Solar Spikers went all-in during the break, surrounding star Bella Belen with marquee acquisitions headlined by former league MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, both from Cignal, and veteran setter Jaja Maraguinot.

Capital1 also landed rookie libero Detdet Pepito, the No. 2 overall pick in the recent PVL Draft, and ninth overall pick Khy Cepada, further deepening a roster that now looms as a serious contender.

To maximize the potential of its Belen-Gandler-Santos combination, the Solar Spikers also brought in former Galeries Tower setter Julia Coronel, adding another key piece to an ambitious overhaul.

While Capital1 made the biggest splash, several other teams made calculated moves to strengthen their lineups and rotations heading into Siklab.

Nxled addressed key needs across the court.

Six-time Best Setter Gel Cayuna gives the Chameleons an accomplished playmaker, Jackie Acuna adds reinforcement in the middle, while fifth overall pick Irah Jaboneta brings youth and promise at libero.

The moves already appear to be paying dividends, with Nxled advancing to the recent PVL On Tour Final.

ZUS Coffee added a proven scoring option in Jolina Dela Cruz, while NCAA MVP Zamantha Nolasco and fourth overall pick Nicole Ong provide additional depth in the middle.

That position became a pressing need following Thea Gagate’s move to Japan’s SV.League, where she joined the Denso Airybees.

Galeries Tower, meanwhile, landed the biggest prize of the PVL Draft in top overall pick Lams Lamina, a timely addition following Coronel’s departure from the Highrisers after the preseason.

The Highrisers also selected Ann Asis 10th overall and signed free agents Alyssa Bertolano, Jade Gentapa and Maji Mangulabnan.

Not every team, however, chose to overhaul its roster.

Akari opted to preserve its core while adding reliable depth in Tin Tiamzon, Risa Sato, Sharya Ancheta and Ann Monares.

Farm Fresh took a similar approach, retaining its foundation while bringing in Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Buding Duremdes, Kamille Cal, Bea Bonafe and Ethan Arce to strengthen its depth for the new season.

Choco Mucho and PLDT likewise chose continuity over wholesale changes.

The Flying Titans added Dawn Catindig, Jewel Encarnacion and Ivy Perez.

The High Speed Hitters brought in Leila Cruz, Winnie Bedana and Jessa Ordiales, along with rookies Fianne Ariola and Joan Monares.

No team, however, made fewer changes than defending champion Creamline.

The Cool Smashers added only rookie Barbie Jamili, the eighth overall pick in the draft, to their already tested and formidable core.

The real test now is whether the offseason moves translate into results on the court.

With every team believing it has assembled the right pieces, Siklab will provide the first meaningful look at how the new-look rosters fit, which combinations click and which contenders are ready to make an early statement when competition begins Saturday in Cebu.

The pieces have been moved.

Now it is time to see which teams can make them click.