They’re baaack!!!

The teams from the country’s premiere intercollegiate volleyball league for women resume play starting this coming Sunday. The second conference for the 6th season of Shakey’s V-League will kick off in it’s regular home court at the Filoil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The following are the teams that would be participating for this conference:

• Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons
• Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles
• College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Lady Blazers
• Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws
• Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Lady Pirates
• San Sebastian College (SSC) Lady Stags
• University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons
• University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tigresses

Below is the schedule of games for the first week.

October 11
2pm – UST vs AdU
4pm – FEU vs UP

October 13
2pm – AdU vs LPU
4pm – UP vs ADMU
6pm – UST vs FEU

October 16
4pm – AdU vs UP
6pm – LPU vs UST

Largely due to ongoing preparations for the incoming SEA games, teams are limited to only one guest player this conference.

It’s really exciting to see what adjustments each team has undergone since the break. All the teams have changes from their previous line-ups. Some teams have new guest players. And some even have new team captains.

But regardless of all the changes, for sure fans would still be there… ever present and supportive of their respective favorite teams. As I would be as well.

See you during the games!

It was a really rainy Thursday and the roads have been wet all day. As expected, there were lot of spots around the metro with a bit of traffic. All these caused me to arrive late for the first game. It was already well past half the second set when I got to find a place to position myself.

It was the lady Falcons of Adamson going against the lady Blazers of Saint Benilde with the former taking the first set. The San Marcelino ladies must have been really missing the services of their guest player Nene Bautista, Lilet Mabbayad and setter Janet Serafica, as they consequently lost the second and third sets. The CSB ladies on the other hand, were very passionate in their efforts as lead by Maureen Penetrante, Katty Kwan, Cindy Velasquez, Giza Yumang, Zharmaine Velez and Renilyne Kara Agero. The game came to a fifth deciding set with the defending champion Falcons surviving the spirited stand of the Blazers. The undermanned Adamson banked on their dependable infantry led by Sang Laguilles, Pau Soriano, Angela Benting and unheralded Angelica Quinlog.

AdU vs CSB  -  (25-20, 18-25, 24-26, 26-24, 15-10)

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It was just a typical Sunday for most folks. But for those who belong to the growing cult following our local volleyball scene, its one of those red-letter days.

The date is April 19 and its the opening of the Shakey’s V-League for this year.

The games were scheduled to begin at 2pm with the ceremonial rites commencing an hour before that. I manage to arrive at the Arena before noon but was surprised to see a considerable number of people in queue for tickets and already lining up towards the entrance.

The opening celebration was covered by the very able Sev Sarmenta. And the lineup of distinguished visitors for the inaugurals included US ambassador Kristie Kenney, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, IFFS (Shakey’s) president Leo Prieto Jr., Sports Vision president Ricky Palou, POC head Jose Cojuangco Jr. and Ms. Guia Gomez.

In between the parade of teams, oath of sportsmanship and various lively numbers rendered by the dancers, the Cardona Rizal Musical Ensemble and UP PEP squad; there was a minute of silent prayer dedicated to honor the late Leo Prieto Sr., founding commissioner of the PBA and mainly responsible for the event’s major sponsor — Shakey’s.

To the satisfaction of enthusiasts and fans, all of the 8 participating teams in the eliminations were present during the ceremonies. During the oath of sportsmanship each team was represented by their respective captains : 

• Angela Benting for Adamson
• Kara Acevedo for Ateneo
• Maureen Penetrante for St. Benilde
• Rachel Ann Daquis for FEU
• Syvie Artates for Lyceum
• Rysabelle Devanadera for SSC
• Cathy Barcelon for UP
• and Aiza Maizo for UST

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