Guest players who will rock the V-League
MANILA, Philippines -- When the 10th season of the Shakey’s V-League fires off on Sunday, April 7, a huge crowd is expected to troop to the FilOil Flying V Arena, with fans of 2012 first conference finalists clad in blue and yellow tipped to fill the venue to the rafters.
In the Season 9 championship, Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas set a then-record of 7, 000 paying patrons who witnessed an epic finals series between two of the most popular volleyball crews in the Philippines.
But things have changed for the better since then, as volleyball popularity in the country has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to the successful UAAP Season 75 games at the Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum.
However, aside from the Lady Eagles --- who are actually seeking a third straight title --- and the Golden Tigresses, bannering opening day are superstars of yesterday coming back to delight fans once more.
Rappler picks five guest players --- most of them returning, but one making her debut in the collegiate stage --- who we believe would not just spice up the first conference, but bolster their team’s chances in bagging the coveted title.
POSTER GIRL. The face of PH volleyball is now a Lady Eagle. Photo by RivalsPH/Kevin dela Cruz.
1. Rachel Anne Daquis, Ateneo de Manila University
Even though she’s played for Philippine Army in the past, it’s still a different feeling seeing the name of the former Queen Tamaraw not beside “Far Eastern University.”
But it gets weirder this time, as Daquis --- long the poster girl of Philippine volleyball before the likes of Cha Cruz and Gretchen Ho came along --- suits up for a rival UAAP school.
And if the lineups sent by TMX Sports are final, then the Lady Eagles would definitely have the “most beautiful team” in the Shakey’s V-League, what with Daquis teaming up with crowd darlings Ho, Fille Cainglet and Season 9 Finals MVP Alyssa Valdez.
2. Aiza Maizo, University of Santo Tomas
On the other side of the fence is one of Daquis’ former nemeses in the UAAP: “Kapitana” Aiza Maizo.
After a brief stint with University of St. La Salle and a two-year hiatus, Maizo returns to the Tigresses’ fold, much to the joy of UST’s most ardent fans, who will never forget how one of the most decorated volleybelles in UAAP and V-League history led the Espana crew to numerous titles.
In her last two V-League conferences with the Tigresses, Maizo bagged the Finals MVP trophy twice, nabbed the Conference MVP once and also brought home a Best Attacker award, as UST completed the tail-end of their three-peat.
SCORING MACHINE. Bualee averaged almost 30 points per game last season. Photo by MatchPoint/Cheng Bigay.
3. Jang Bualee, San Sebastian College – Recoletos
With her championship drought finally over, Bualee comes back to the only team she’s played for (at least in the centerpiece first conference) in the V-League: San Sebastian College.
Coach Clint Malazo’s Lady Stags will lean once more on Bualee for offense and if her last go-around with San Sebastian would be the gauge, then the Thai definitely still has a lot to offer.
The reigning league MVP carried the Lady Stags to a semifinal finish last season, averaging an eye-popping 29.6 points per game, including 36.5 points in their first two semifinal matches against University of Santo Tomas.
4. Jaja Santiago, National University
A lot of us have never seen the younger of the Santiago sisters play in person. But we have definitely heard a lot about Jaja, the gangling six-foot-four physical specimen who will strut her wares in the V-League for the first time.
As the much-awaited rookie since Alyssa Valdez, Santiago will get the chance to prove that all the hype surrounding her is no fluke and the onus will be on new NU coach Edjet Mabbayad to maximize his two six-footers as they attempt to make up for a lackluster finish in Season 9.
Expect the Lady Bulldogs ‘ offense --- and net defense --- to go through both Dindin and Jaja, with Aiko Urdas, Cai Nepomuceno and Myla Pablo playing secondary roles for the Gold and Blue.
SHE'S BACK. UST fans bade her goodbye in 2012, but Dimac is back for the Tigresses. Photo by MatchPoint/Cheng Bigay.
5. Rhea Dimaculangan, University of Santo Tomas
It’s been almost a year since we last saw Dimaculangan in a UST jersey, as she ended her collegiate career with a farewell that culminated in a finals loss to Ateneo.
Her graduation directly affected the Tigresses’ campaign in the UAAP, as Loren Lantin struggled to fill in the gaping hole that the legendary setter left in UST’s rotation.
Fortunately for the legions of Tigress supporters, Dimac is back. And with Maizo teaming up with her, it feels like 2010 again for the Black and Gold. – Rappler.com
