By REYNALD MAGALLON
An action-packed quadruple header is set to usher in the start of what is expected to be an exciting inaugural Shakey’s Super League National Invitational on Saturday, July 29 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
A total of 12 teams from all over the country will be battling for glory in the four-week tiff with three teams composing the four pools in the group stage will play in a single-round robin format.
Top two teams in each pools advance to the quarterfinals where winners move on to the knockout semifinals and the best-of-three finals.
A clash between Notre Dame of Dadiangas University from Mindanao and Enderun Colleges from Luzon kicks off the event in the 9 a.m. affair just before the formal opening ceremony of the tournament at 11 a.m.
NCAA representatives University of Perpetual Help-DALTA and UAAP powerhouse De La Salle University then collide in the second game at 12 p.m. while University of San Jose from Cebu takes on DLSU- Dasmarinas at 2 p.m.
Wrapping up the opening day hostilities is the equally interesting showdown between Adamson University and Jose Maria College.
“It’s gonna be an important tournament as we’re following through the mission of creating opportunities for young women aspirants. The future stars of the country will come from this tourney,” said Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., (SPAVI) president and CEO Vic Gregorio on Friday, July 28, during the press conference at the Shakey’s E. Rodriguez, Quezon City.
“All the big names in Philippine women’s volleyball, at one point or another, will play in the Shakey’s Super League. We promise that Shakey’s will continue as long as it can to support women’s volleyball. We’re just as blessed and humbled that we’re given this chance,” he added.
College of St. Benilde debuts on Sunday against Notre Dame while Lyceum, University of Santo Tomas and University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) also plunge into action.
