MANILA -- The Philippine Super Liga (PSL) has announced the appointment of Abby Marano as ambassador of the league starting with the Chooks to Go-PSL Grand Prix, which opens at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan Friday.
Generika-Ayala will be facing Petron in the first match to be followed by the Cignal-Foton encounter. Both matches will be shown live on ESPN5, the league's official broadcast partner.
According to the PSL statement released to the media on Thursday, the middle blocker of F2 Logistics team was chosen "for her strong influence to the youth and deep love of the sport".
Marano is a member of the national women's team that competed in the Asian Volleyball Confederation-sanctioned Asian Senior Women's Championships last August.
PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara described Marano as the direct opposite of previous league ambassadors, such as Gretchen Ho, Cha Cruz and Mika Reyes.
“Unlike Gretchen, Cha and Mika, Abby is very vocal and outspoken,” said Suzara, an official of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and International Volleyball Federation.
“Her influence, especially to the youth, is enormous and she had repeatedly displayed her love for the sport and loyalty to the league. That’s why we decided to formally tap her as the PSL ambassador for this year," Suzara added.
Marano expressed her gratitude to the PSL for choosing her as league ambassador.
“I really have a vocal personality and I’m not afraid to speak my mind for as long as I am right. If the PSL’s image is at stake, no doubt, I will stand up and defend the league,” she said.
“I want to thank Mr. Suzara, Mr. (PSL chairman Philip Ella) Juico and the entire PSL organization for trusting me to be their ambassador. This is another step for me to influence the youth and aspiring athletes to play their best and chase their dreams,” Marano added.
Meanwhile, Marano will lead the Cargo Movers against Petron on Nov. 4 when the league goes to Bacolod City. The game will be played at the University of St. La Salle gym. (PNA)
