La Salle, UP SSL return to preseason volleyball action

The best volleyball teams from the UAAP and NCAA, with NU, La Salle and St. Benilde carrying the flags, compete in the Shakey’s Super League preseason tournament

MANILA, Philippines – UAAP women’s volleyball champions National University are eyeing their third consecutive conference title as La Salle and UP return to the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Pre-College Season Championships starting Friday, September 27 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Eight teams from the UAAP and 10 teams from the NCAA will compete. After taking last year off, the Lady Spikers and Fighting Maroons will return to the preseason volleyball tournament.

“We want to showcase (players) that teams acquired during the offseason,” Dr. Ian Laurel, president of SSL promoter Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES), said at a league press conference Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Shakey’s Malate.

“Fans can expect new names and new faces. See how they perform and how they mesh with their teams. Established players will play as well, so we will have a full squad of teams ready to play.”

The 18 teams were divided into four pools, with NU, Arellano, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Ateneo, and San Beda in Pool A.

Group B includes University of Santo Tomas, Mapua Lyceum, University of the East and Perpetual Aid.

La Salle, Letran, Jose Rizal University and UP represent the Group C squad while NCAA champions St. Benilde, San Sebastian and Adamson face off in Group D.

In the match that will start on Friday, FEU and San Sebastian will face each other at 15:30, while Lyceum and UE will face each other at 18:00.

“We use the all-in format because it allows for more playing time for all players in the lineup,” Laurel said.

At the end of the group competitions, the first two teams in each group will advance to the next round and will be divided into two groups.

In the tournament’s cross-quarterfinals, only the top two teams at the end of the round, supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water, will be given a double-beating incentive prize.

Additionally, Mikasa, Asics, Rebel Sports, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), SM Tickets, and Smart Sports are also supporting as technical partners.

Fans can watch the matches live and on-demand on Puso Pilipinas, Smart Livestream, Solar Sports Channel 70 on Sky Cable, and Channel 59 on Cable Link. – Rappler.com