Athletes and coaches expect tougher competition when an expanded and more diverse Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference fires off on Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A record of 12 teams including two newcomers will highlight this conference, which will also feature female and foreign coaches – a testament to the growth of the league.

“We are very excited for this conference,” said newly appointed PVL competition director Sherwin Malonzo in a press briefing at the Discovery Suites on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Raising the curtain on opening day will be neophytes Galeries Tower and Nxled at 3 p.m., followed by the 5 p.m. collision between PLDT and Cignal.

The 7 p.m. main game will feature fancied teams Creamline and Choco Mucho.

This conference will follow a single-round elimination format featuring 66 matches, with the Top 4 teams advancing to the best-of-three semifinals. The championship match will also be played in a best-of-three format.

Other teams competing in this conference are Akari, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, F2 Logistics, Farm Fresh and Gerflor.

“This is going to be a competitive conference, but fun,” said F2 Logistics Coach Regine Diego, adding that every team is expected to give out their best to make it on top.

“Basta kami one step at a time lang. Enjoy-in muna namin yung mga laro. Pero kapag nabigyan kami ng chance na makaangat, hahakbang talaga kami,” said seasoned Gerflor mentor Sammy Acaylar.

“Not only do we aim for the top, but we also want to make something out of our potential,” said Akari standout Michelle Cobb.

Matches will be telecast on PVL.ph, One Sports, One Sports+ and SMART Livestream app, Pilipinas Live will also air the games live to provide a wider platform to the audience.