Premier Volleyball League unveiled its 10 confirmed teams for the upcoming Open Conference, set to begin on May 8.
Defending champion Creamline headlines the field that will compete inside Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Cool Smashers foil Petro Gazz, which reloaded its lineup, will also return.
Completing the holdovers are Choco Mucho, Perlas, and Bali Pure.
Ex-PSL clubs Cignal and PLDT also look to make their debuts in the country’s first-ever professional volleyball league.
Mela Tunay’s new team will no longer carry the brand Peak Form. Instead, it will be backed by UAC Energy Holdings, a company that has Ayala as major stockholders, and will have the monicker Power Hitters — yes, the same as PLDT Home Fibr.
Armed forces teams Air Force and Army will also join. This time around, they will be guest teams. Just like Gilas in the upcoming PBA Philippine Cup, Air Force and Army are eligible to win a championship.
“Right now we have ten already. The others, wala pa naman eh. As far as we know, sampu pa lang. May mga balita pero hindi naman, wala namang nagko-confirm,” said PVL President Ricky Palou.
“They’re saying Sta. Lucia, Chery Tiggo, but nobody’s confirming, so chismis-chismis lang ‘yun.”
NCAA student-athletes are also allowed to join as confirmed by the collegiate league’s management committee.
As per Games and Amusements board rules, all the enlisted personnel and student-athletes not from the UAAP set to play must secure a special guest license.
PVL President Ricky Palou earlier said that Inspire Sports Academy can accommodate up to 12 teams.