Cebu, you did that.
A record 19,106 fans packed the SM Seaside Cebu Arena on Saturday, October 10, as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) took its All-Filipino Conference to Cebu City. That's a new attendance record for the arena.
For context, the PVL's all-time record is still 24,459, set at the 2023 All-Filipino finals between Creamline and Choco Mucho at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alyssa was not ready for this
It was Alyssa Valdez's first PVL game in Cebu, and the crowd clearly got to her.
"In all honesty, I never thought we could fill an arena again. It's been a while," she said. "We were really overwhelmed."
Her request? More Cebu games, please. "We can keep coming back here because Cebu really seems to love volleyball," she said.
Creamline starts its title defense in style
The defending champs, who have 11 PVL titles, swept Akari 25-18, 25-21, 25-18. Jema Galanza led the way with 16 points.
Choco Mucho's reverse sweep
The other match was pure drama. Choco Mucho lost the first two sets to Capital1, then won the next three: 22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-8.
Eya Laure: 22 points, 15 excellent receptions and 11 digs, fresh from the Asian Games with Alas Pilipinas
Sisi Rondina-Rosales: 12 points in just three sets
Maddie Madayag: 11 points
The turning point? Coach Dante Alinsunurin, who rarely gets mad, got mad. "Coach Dante getting angry was a wake-up call for us," Rondina-Rosales said.
On the other side, Erika Santos scored 22 in her Capital1 debut.
Spotted in the crowd
PBA legends Ramon Fernandez and Dondon Hontiveros, plus former SEA Games volleyball gold medalists Thelma Barina and Grace Antigua.
With the PVL celebrating its 10th year, Cebu just made a strong case for more road games. Are you watching this conference?
