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PSL: Newcomer Cherrylume faces early test against Foton

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/06/060617_psl.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">The Philippine Superliga&#x27;s All-Filipino Conference opens on Tuesday. <cite>Handout photo.</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – New squad Cherrylume will be tested immediately in its Philippine Superliga (PSL) debut, as it opens its All-Filipino Conference campaign against Foton on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.Although the league&#x27;s formal opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, a capacity crowd is expected to show up at the San Juan venue, as half of the ticket sales will be donated to the medical fund of Olympian Ian Lariba, who was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/volleyball/news/2017/06/01/olympian-lariba-gets-support-26776">READ: Olympian Lariba gets more support</a></li></ul>Bannered by the stars of the University of the East (UE), all eyes will be on the Iron Lady Warriors as they set out in the PSL in a bid to toughen then up for next season&#x27;s UAAP campaign.Mary Ann Mendrez, Judith Abil, Jana Sta. Maria and playmaker Dana Disquitado are tipped to carry the cudgels for the rookie squad that will be mentored by UE assistant coach Lerma Giron.&quot;Our objective is to mature the team,&quot; said Giron. &quot;We will work on our skills, our character, and our attitude. I think we will learn a lot in this conference.&quot;However, they are expected to face an uphill climb in their first game, as they take on a Foton squad brimming with talent, led by national team members Jaja Santiago and Maika Ortiz, as well as veterans Ivy Perez, Rubie de Leon, and defense specialist Jen Reyes.University of Santo Tomas star EJ Laure as well as new recruits CJ Rosario, Kyle Negrito, Roselyn Doria, Nica Guliman, Heather Guino-o are also expected to provide spark for the reigning champion of the import-laced Grand Prix.Also tipped to go down the wire is the battle between Generika-Ayala and the revamped Cocolife side in the featured encounter.National team head coach Francis Vicente parades a rock-solid roster built around Gen Casugod, the 6-foot-1 former Far Eastern University ace who is now blossoming into one of the league’s best middle blockers.She will be aided by Chloe Cortez, Patty Orendain, Angeli Araneta, Shaya Adorador and new recruit Marian Buitre with Bia General and Kath Arado patrolling the backline.Vicente said there’s a strong sense of urgency for them to win right away.“This is just a short tournament, a little more than one month to be exact. Every game is very important,” said Vicente, adding that they are eyeing to barged into the top two of their pool that is consists of Foton, Cherrylume and Cocolife.For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">Sports website.</a>

New squad Cherrylume will be tested immediately in its Philippine Superliga (PSL) debut, as it opens its All-Filipino Conference campaign against Foton on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

New squad Cherrylume will be tested immediately in its Philippine Superliga (PSL) debut, as it opens its All-Filipino Conference campaign against Foton on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.