Shakey's V-League on April 24

MANILA, Philippines – Women’s volleyball takes center stage again beginning next week when the Shakey’s V-League kicks off its ninth season in what promises to be a year-round volley fever in the country.

The opening conference of the premiere women’s volleyball meet here sets in motion on April 24 at The Arena in San Juan, serving as the launching pad of a three-series format that culminates with an exciting invitational tournament before the season ends.

In between, an Open conference featuring commercial teams will be held to sustain the programs laid out by the organizing Sports Vision in partnership with Shakey’s.

“We’re likely to do that,” said Moying Martelino, Sports Vision chairman, when asked about making the three-conference setup a regular V-League fixture during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s U.N. Ave.

Holding the first conference every summer allows the league to have a 10-team field, according to Sports Vision president Ricky Palou, since most of the school-based teams are not busy competing in other collegiate tournaments.

“Normally, we have 10 teams every summer because schools are on vacation. We can even invite two provincial squads to come over and compete,” added Palou, who was also joined in the session presented by Smart, Shakey’s, and Pagcor, by Shakey’s executive vice president and chief executive officer (COO) Vic Gregorio, and Eymare Bacasmas, Shakey’s PR and events manager.

“But during the Open conference, we’re usually down to eight teams since most schools are already busy competing in their respective leagues,” said Palou.