The 2016 Philippine Super Liga Invitational Cup (also known as the 2016 PLDT Home Ultera Philippine Super Liga Invitational Cup due to sponsorship reasons) was the first conference of the 2016 season of the Philippine Super Liga (PSL). It was also the second running of the Invitational Conference, with the first being in 2013. The conference ran from February 18 to April 9, 2016, coinciding with the UAAP Season 78 volleyball tournaments.
A major change to the Invitational Conference was the addition of guest teams from other countries. This season, it was Est Cola from Thailand, which joined the final round, clashing against top three teams of the preliminary round for the championship. LVPI Director Jeff Tamayo was the guest speaker of the opening ceremonies, while LVPI President Joey Romasanta and Sports5 head Patricia Bermudez-Hizon attended the awarding ceremonies.
Among member teams, three teams made their departure: the Meralco Power Spikers, Philips Gold Lady Slammers, and RC Cola–Air Force Raiders. Two teams made their debut in the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and New San Jose Builders Victorias. This conference also marked the return of three-time champions Philippine Army Lady Troopers.
For this conference, the league declared two co-champions. The Philippine Army won their fourth league title alongside guest team Est Cola.
Format Classification round The classification involved the six PSL teams. The top three teams advanced to the final round while the remaining teams were eliminated.
Final round The final round was also a single round-robin, now featuring the international guest team. Each team played one match against all other teams for a total of three matches.
Teams Abbr. Team Affiliation Head coach Team captain CIG Cignal HD Spikers Cignal TV, Inc. Sammy Acaylar Michelle Laborte F2L F2 Logistics Cargo Movers F2 Global Logistics, Inc. Rosemarie Molit-Prochina Cha Cruz FOT Foton Toplanders United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. Vilet Ponce de Leon Angeli Araneta NSJ New San Jose Builders Victorias New San Jose Builders, Inc. Michael Molleno Coleen Laurice Bravo PET Petron Tri-Activ Spikers Petron Corporation George Pascua Aiza Maizo-Pontillas RCC RC Cola–Army Troopers ARC Refreshments Corporation Sgt. Kungfu Reyes Jovelyn Gonzaga EST Est Cola Serm Suk Public Company Ltd. Chamnan Dokmai Jarasporn Bundasak
Classification round
Final round
Final standing
RankTeam RC Cola–Army TroopersEst Cola (co-champion) Petron Tri-Activ Spikers 4 F2 Logistics Cargo Movers 5 Cignal HD Spikers 6 Foton Toplanders 7New San Jose Builders Victorias
2016 Philippine SuperLiga Invitational Cup RC Cola–Army Troopers 1st title (of RC Cola); 4th title (of Philippine Army Lady Troopers) Team roster Genie Sabas, Joanne Bunag, Mary Jean Balse-Pabayo (on maternity leave), Tina Salak, Jovelyn Gonzaga (c), Michelle Carolino, Angela Nunag, Honey Royse Tubino, Rachel Daquis, Nerissa Bautista, Christine Agno, Sarah Jane Gonzales, Jeaniie delos Reyes Head coachSgt. Emilio Reyes, Jr. Est Cola (co-champion) Team roster Anisa Yotpinit, Wipawee Srithong, Chamaipon Phokha, Patcharaporn Sittisad, Tirawan Sang-ob, Sutadta Chuewulim, Sasipaporn Janthawisut, Jarasporn Bundasak (c), Tichaya Boonlert, Sineenat Phocharoen, Parinya PankaewHead coachChamnan Dokmai
Individual awards Award Name/Team MVP Jovelyn Gonzaga (RC Cola–Army) Best Outside Spiker 1st: Sutadta Chuewulim (Est Cola) 2nd: Honey Royse Tubino (RC Cola–Army) Best Middle Blocker 1st: Abigail Maraño (F2 Logistics) 2nd: Maica Morada (Petron)Best Opposite Spiker Aiza Maizo-Pontillas (Petron)Best Setter Tichaya Boonlert (Est Cola) Best Libero Anisa Yotpinit (Est Cola)
Venues Filoil Flying V Arena (main venue) Malolos Sports and Convention Center, Malolos, Bulacan Alonte Sports Arena, Biñan, Laguna Batangas City Sports Center, Batangas City, Batangas Imus Sports Complex, Imus, Cavite
Broadcast partners Sports5: TV5, AksyonTV, Hyper (SD and HD), Sports5.ph
Broadcast notes for final round
Game Sports5 coverage Play-by-play Analyst Courtside reporterF2 Logistics vs. Est Cola James Velasquez Denise Tan Chino Lui-PioRC Cola–Army vs. Petron Anthony Suntay Chiqui PabloRC Cola–Army vs. F2 Logistics Anthony Suntay Tex Suter Mich del CarmenPetron vs. Est Cola Chiqui Reyes Chiqui PabloPetron vs. F2 Logistics James Velasquez Denise Tan Carla LizardoRC Cola–Army vs. Est Cola James Velasquez Tex Suter
References
External links