PETRON'S team in the SuperLiga is no different from its PBA ballclub - a team that looks impressive on paper, loaded with players who have been accustomed to success during their college careers.
But can the Blaze Spikers get their act together and win championships - something their PBA counterparts have not been able to achieve of late?
Skipper Angge Tabaquero thinks so.
"Walang problema kasi sa team namin walang star-star," said the outspoken skipper, easing fears over the team's chemistry - or lack of it - after an opening loss to Cignal HD on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
Concerns over chemistry are understable, considering the Blazer Spikers are an odd mix of players who have largely played their careers in college competing against each other.
Aside from Tabaquero, there are eight other former University of Santo Tomas players in Petron's lineup: Aiza Maizo, Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz, Judy Ann Caballejo, Jessica Curato, Roxanne Pimentel, Michelle del Rosario, and Joanna Marie Torrijos.
The Blazers also have some of the mainstays of Ateneo's popular and successful women's volleyball team, namely Gretchen Ho, Fille Cainglet, Charo Soriano, Karla Bello and Carmina Acevedo.
The lone La Sallian in the team, libero Melissa Gohing, completes coach Vilet Ponce de Leon's star-studded team.
Still, Tabaquero assured the players are capable of setting aside previous rivalries and jell as a team as the inaugural tournament of the country's first women's volleyball club league progresses.
"Kahit na galing kami sa iba't-ibang schools united kami as a team," she said.
The team's struggles on opening day may be largely due to the fact that it only had a week's preparation behind it and practiced with a complete lineup on the eve of the tournament.
Tabaquero hopes for a better result when the Blaze Spikers collide with PLDT MyDSL on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.
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