CEBU, Philippines - The Shakey’s V-League kicks off a new decade of top-notch women’s volley action this weekend with a record field, headed by the country’s top collegiate teams and three crack provincial squads, disputing the first conference crown at The Arena in San Juan.
Never in the 10-year history of the league, which revived the once dormant sport in 2004 and made superstars out of the ordinary college students, had there been such a huge cast with the organizing Sports Vision expecting a wild, wild chase for the crown held by the National U side.
The Lady Bulldogs banner Group B in the two-division format with the top from each side advancing to the quarters after a single round elims. The eight teams will again be divided into two in another single round phase although games played by the teams in the same groups in the elims will no longer be played and the results to be carried over to the quarters.
Action starts March 23 and will end on June 8.
The two squads from each side will clash in a crossover semis, a best-of-three with the winners clashing for the crown in another best-of-three duel.
“This is going to be an interesting season. With so many teams wanting to join the league, we could only accommodate much to ensure a level playing field and equal exposure,†said Sports Vision president Ricky Palou.
NU, bannered by the Santiago sisters Dindin and Jaja and Myla Pablo, will be joined in by former champion University of Santo Tomas and fellow UAAP school Far Eastern U and NCAA teams San Sebastian College and Perpetual Help along with Davao’s Lady Agilas.
Ateneo, coming off a historic victory in the UAAP, leads Group A which also drew Adamson, Arellano, St. Benilde and provincial teams Southwestern University from Cebu and Baguio’s St. Louis University.
All teams have toughened up during the off-season although the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Eagles remain as the early hot favorites to lord it over their respective groups in the league sponsored by Shakey’s.
The league is coming off a banner season last year with NU stopping Ateneo in sudden death to claim the first conference crown and Cagayan Valley beating Smart-Maynilad to bag the Open conference plum and complete a record 16-game sweep. (PR) (FREEMAN)