COCOLIFE undergoes a tough test tonight when it battles Cignal in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix at the Bacoor City Sports Center in Cavite.
Action starts at 7 p.m. with Sta. Lucia Realty facing Generika-Ayala off at 4:15 pm.
The Lady Realtors suffered a four-set meltdown to powerhouse Petron, 21-25, 25-18, 17-25, 20-25, while the overhauled Lifesavers collapsed against Foton, 19-25, 25-22, 16-25, 22-25, on opening day last Saturday.
But all eyes will be on Cocolife. After making the semifinals for the first time in the last conference, the Asset Managers had a major upgrade, recruiting Serbian coach Moro Branislav to replace Kungfu Reyes.
Reyes, a champion coach with Philippine Army, decided to take a step back and serve as Branislav’s chief deputy to focus on his coaching chores with University of Santo Tomas in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
With Branislav on board, Cocolife was able to lure quality talents in former national team stalwart Honey Royse Tubino, Danika Gendrauli, Shawna-Lei Santos and Denice Tan, while bringing back the core of veterans Nerissa Bautista, Jane Gonzales, Tina Balse and Denden Lazaro.
The Asset Managers also brought back American Taylor Milton and recruited Serbian Sara Klisura, the hard-hitting open spiker who erupted with a record of 41 points while still donning the jersey of Foton last year.
Branislav, however, believes that winning the title would be tough for him and his crew.
“All teams have also upgraded their respective rosters. So, it’s going to be very tough for us,” said the 58-year-old Branislav, who steered the Tornadoes to the Grand Prix crown two years ago.
“We just have to prepare hard and be ready. This Grand Prix will never be easy. This is going to be a war,” he added.