SSL Preseason Unity Cup unveiled

MANILA, Philippines —  The Shakey’s Super League Preseason Collegiate Championship is shifting to being the SSL Preseason Unity Cup.

In celebration of the pizza brand’s 50th anniversary, the SSL introduced the new league name yesterday ahead of the opening of its fourth season on Sept. 20 at the Playtime Filoil Centre featuring 16 teams from the UAAP and NCAA.

“Together, let’s make sure the Preseason Unity Cup becomes a tremendous success and will be better than before, better than others and better than expected,” said Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. (SPAVI) president and CEO Vic Gregorio, joined by SPAVI general manager Oliver Sicam, SPAVI marketing head Regina Asa, PLDT and Smart Communications head of sports Jude Turcuato, Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES) president Dr. Ian Laurel and director Ariel Paredes during the league launch at Shakey’s Buendia.

The SSL Preseason Unity Cup’s rebrand comes on the heels of its historic Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League that was also re-introduced as Rising Stars Cup earlier this year featuring 30 squads from all over the country as well as the renewed three-leg National Invitationals in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The new name, however, doesn’t change National U’s stature as being the team to beat with a prestigious four-peat feat on the line.

The Lady Bulldogs lost the MVP duo of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon but acquired UAAP juniors MVP Sam Cantada from Adamson in partnership with veteran Vange Alinsug and Alas Pilipinas standout Arah Panique to form a potent core.