Photo: PVL

By Rachel Gonzales

Rald Ricafort and Shaq Delos Santos, who steered the top two teams in the preliminaries, will take center stage as head coaches in the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase on May 1 in Candon City.

The Premier Volleyball League announced that Ricafort will handle Team Heart, while Delos Santos will coach Team Hustle.

Ricafort steered the PLDT High Speed Hitters to a league-best 7-2 record in the preliminary round, while Delos Santos led the Cignal HD Spikers to a 6-3 finish.

Based on the third voting returns, Team Heart’s projected starters include Jia De Guzman at setter, outside hitters Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez, opposite spiker Erika Santos, middle blockers Jeanette Panaga and Majoy Baron, and libero Justine Jazareno.

For Team Hustle, Delos Santos could field Kim Fajardo at setter, outside hitters Bernadeth Pons and Eya Laure, opposite spiker Tots Carlos, middle blockers Mika Reyes and Fifi Sharma, and libero Kath Arado.

Fans can vote for the All-Star starters until April 11 through the league’s official website, with the final starters set to be revealed on Monday.

The seven reserve players will be selected through a combined voting process involving coaches, players, team officials, the league’s technical committees, broadcast panel, and the PVL/Spikers’ Turf Press Corps. The results will be announced on April 20.

In the Spikers’ Turf showcase, Tai Bundit of Criss Cross will coach Team Passion, while Sydney Calderon of Savouge will handle Team Power.