Choco Mucho’s Madayag says PVL now more competitive after player movements

MANILA, Philippines -- The busy offseason in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) is beneficial for everyone, Choco Mucho star Maddie Madayag said, as it would heighten the competition in the volleyball tourney.

This past offseason, a number of players, both stars and role players, jumped to new teams.

Former Flying Titan captain Bea de Leon and libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla joined the Creamline Cool Smashers.

Choco Mucho also signed new faces in Royse Tubino, Bia General, Mean Mendrez and Mars Alba.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Madayag said that the offseason moves were “more for the volleyball community as a whole.”

“The competition will be higher and it’s for the benefit of all teams, knowing that we are not there yet if we compete against other countries,” the middle blocker, who earlier represented the Philippines in international competitions in the past, said.

“I think the movements of the players, making other teams stronger, it’s beneficial for the whole league. I think that’s what we need also so we can show a fight when the time comes that we get to play outside [the country] as well,” she added.

Creamline star Alyssa Valdez, for her part, echoed Madayag’s sentiments.

“I totally agree with Maddie. Honestly, in our team with Creamline, it’s very new that we have new players because we’re very into familiarity and being together as a family as well and it’s been working for our team,” she said.

“Having said that, we’re still banking on that. Bea and Den have been training with us and really adjusting to the system of Coach Sherwin [Meneses)]. But the other players who have been moving around also and going to other teams, we’re very happy for them. I think they’re trying to look for their new home and we hope to give them a good fight,” she added.

It was a dizzying offseason in the PVL, where key cogs joined other teams.

New teams -- the Capital1 Solar Energy and the Strong Group Athletics -- will also make their debuts in the upcoming PVL season that will kick off on February 20.

“With this new challenge, I think every year, we need a new challenge, new competition. And this is the challenge that I feel would give us excitement not just the players