Quezon City Gerflor Defenders

Quezon City Gerflor Defenders

Short name	Quezon City Gerflor
Nickname	Defenders
Dissolved	2023
Owner	Quezon City Sports Management Services
League	Premier Volleyball League (2023)

The Quezon City Gerflor Defenders were a women's volleyball team in the Philippines which played in the Premier Volleyball League.

History

The Quezon City Gerflor Defenders, a private professional club ^[1] supported by the Quezon City Sports Management Services ^{[2] [3]} joined the Premier Volleyball League debuting in the 2023 Invitational Conference. ^[4] They have committed to take part in the PVL for at least three years. ^[5] Prior to this, they have played in various other leagues and tournaments including the PNVF Champions League. ^{[6] [7]} The team had Edgar Barroga as its inaugural head coach. ^[8]

On November 9, 2023, during the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference, the Defenders were put under investigation by the league after some of its players posted on Reddit in regards to various internal problems including wage issues. ^{[9] [10] [11]} The team was effectively disbanded after the tournament. ^[12]

In January 2023, it was announced that the Strong Group Athletics would be taking over Gerflor's franchise. The group reportedly helped resolved the salary issue. It will be Strong Group's second PVL team, the first being the Farm Fresh Foxies. ^{[13] [14]}

Rosters

2023

2nd All-Filipino Main article: 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference Quezon City Gerflor Defenders Number Player Position Height Birth date School 1 Vhima Condada Libero UPSHD 2 Satriani Espiritu Middle Blocker 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) SBU 3 Kimberly Grace Manzano Middle Blocker SBU 4 Jhona Rosal Outside Hitter UPSHD 5 Mary Angelei Jingco Outside Hitter DLSU 6 Sarah Jane Gonzales Setter 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (1991-05-08) May 8, 1991 (age 34) UST 7 Menchie Tubiera Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1993-11-01) November 1, 1993 (age 31) AU 8 Danika Gendrauli Opposite Hitter 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) (1991-06-03) June 3, 1991 (age 33) SWU 12 Shyra Mae Umandal Middle Blocker 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1998-01-17) January 17, 1998 (age 27) UPSHD 13 Lhara Maye Clavano Setter 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) (1999-05-13) May 13, 1999 (age 26) UE 14 Katrina Racelis Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1995-07-05) July 5, 1995 (age 29) MU 17 Jenny Gaviola Middle Blocker UPSHD 19 Pia Sarmiento (C) Libero LPU 20 Mary Grace Berte Outside Hitter 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (1994-08-08) August 8, 1994 (age 30) HCDC 21 Jeanette Virginia Villareal Opposite Hitter (1998-07-21) July 21, 1998 (age 26) FEU 25 Bien Elaine Juanillo Opposite Hitter 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) LPU Coaching staff Position Name Head Coach Sammy Acaylar Assistant Coach 1 Michael Cariño Jr. Assistant Coach 2 Marcelo Joaquin Strength and Conditioning Coach Monique Aglipay Trainer Trainer Team Manager Jordan Tolentino Physical Therapist Kristine May Plopenio Invitational Main article: 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference Quezon City Gerflor Defenders Number Player Position Height Birth date School 1 Janine Navarro Outside Hitter 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (1995-01-13) January 13, 1995 (age 30) CSB 2 Mary Anne Esguerra Middle Blocker 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) (1993-10-15) October 15, 1993 (age 31) AU 3 Andrea Marzan Middle Blocker 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) (1995-01-10) January 10, 1995 (age 30) AU 5 Mary Angelei Jingco Outside Hitter DLSU 6 Julia Angeles Libero 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) (1998-06-27) June 27, 1998 (age 26) CSJL 7 Ivy Jisel Perez Setter 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) (1995-02-13) February 13, 1995 (age 30) NU 9 Ethan Lainne Arce Middle Blocker UP 10 Sarah Princess Verutiao Setter AU 12 Ranya Musa Middle Blocker 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) (1997-02-13) February 13, 1997 (age 28) CSB 13 Justine Dorog (C) Outside Hitter 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1998-03-13) March 13, 1998 (age 27) UP 14 Rapril Aguilar Outside Hitter 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) (1990-04-26) April 26, 1990 (age 35) SWU 15 Shannen Palec Opposite Hitter 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1996-09-28) September 28, 1996 (age 28) UST 17 Fenela Risha Emnas Setter 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1998-08-16) August 16, 1998 (age 26) ADU 19 Pia Sarmiento Libero LPU 20 Carmina Aganon Digal Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1993-05-22) May 22, 1993 (age 31) NU 25 Alyssa Bertolano Opposite Hitter UP Coaching staff Position Name Head Coach Edgar Barroga Assistant Coach 1 Nelson Locquiao Assistant Coach 2 Strength and Conditioning Coach Monique Aglipay Trainer Team Manager Jordan Tolentino Physical Therapist Kristine May Plopenio

Honors

Season	Conference	Title	Source
2023	Invitational	12th place
	Second All-Filipino	12th place

Team captains

• Justine Dorog (2023 Invitational)
• Pia Sarmiento (2023 Second All-Filipino)

Head coaches

• Edgar Barroga (2023 Invitational)
• Sammy Acaylar (2023 Second All-Filipino)

References

1. Masoy, Niel Victor (November 9, 2023). "Gerflor 'working on immediate solution' on alleged non-compensation of players". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
2. "PVL: Sarah Verutiao, Fhen Emnas to suit up for Gerflor". ABS-CBN News. June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
3. Payo, Jasmine (November 9, 2023). "Gerflor soldiers on as PVL probes players' alleged unpaid salaries". Rappler. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
4. Agcaoili, Lance (May 24, 2023). "PVL welcomes two new teams with 'long term' commitment; Army skips Invitationals". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
5. Masoy, Niel Victor (June 19, 2023). "PVL gets commitment from 3 new teams". The Manila Times. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
6. "Gerflor looks to inspire in PVL debut". Tiebreaker Times. June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
7. Garcia, John Mark (June 11, 2023). "PVL newcomers QC Gerflor Defenders reveal 16-woman roster". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
8. "Quezon City Gerflor Defenders bubuhatin nina, Alyssa Bertolano". Abante (in Filipino). May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
9. "PVL probes Gerflor over allegations of delayed salaries, mistreatment". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
10. Times, Tiebreaker (November 9, 2023). "PVL puts Gerflor under investigation". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
11. Agcaoili, Lance (November 9, 2023). "Gerflor team playing through low morale in PVL amid financial woes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
12. Dukha, Angel III (December 31, 2023). "Acaylar, disbanded Gerflor squad await their fates". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
13. Dannug, Jonash (January 13, 2024). "SGA takes over Gerflor in PVL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
14. "Strong Group joins PVL, takes over Gerflor franchise". GMA News. January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.