Expect a downpour of volley action as the Shakey’s V-League holds its second “Open” tournament with four commercial clubs joining regular league teams Ateneo and Far Eastern U in the event unfolding Aug. 19 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Philippine Army, which toppled San Sebastian College to clinch the inaugural Shakey’s V-League Open crown last year, seeks to retain the crown as it banners a six-team field that includes Philippine Navy, Cagayan Province and Sandugo Sandals.
“Shakey’s Pizza’s commitment is to give the fans the best competition in women’s volleyball and at the same time further raise the level of the game. By holding this Open conference, we hope to achieve both,” said Vic Gregorio, vice president and COO of the sponsoring Shakey’s Pizza.
To make it more accessible to fans and give it a mainstream appeal, the organizing Sports Vision will hold the Open tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“We expect another slam-bang volley action in this upcoming tournament with Sandugo looming as the team to watch although Army and Ateneo remain formidable and the three others capable of pulling off surprises,” said Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.
Games will also be telecast on AKTV with live streaming at www.v-league.ph.
The Army ladies will be led by the core of their champion squad, including the power-hitting Carolino sisters — Marietta and Michelle — Joanne Buñag, Cristina Salak and Theresa Iratay with coach Rico de Guzman expecting another successful campaign in the six-week long event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Mikasa and Accel.
But they will have their hands full against a slew of challengers with Ateneo out to score back-to-back championship after edging the comebacking University of Santo Tomas in a thrilling sudden death for the first conference crown last July.
Alyssa Valdez, Fille Cainglet, Gretchen Ho, Dzi Gervacio, Jam Ferrer and Dennise Lazaro set out again for a tougher mission under new coach Parley Tupaz, who takes over Roger Gorayeb, and assistant mentor and former coach and star Charo Soriano.
Gorayeb, meanwhile, will be bringing his expertise to Sandugo Footwear, a talent-laden squad headed by the league’s former MVPs, including Nerissa Bautista and Suzanne Roces, and backstopped by veteran campaigners Joy Benito, Angela Benting, Jill Gustilo and Rubie de Leon.
What makes Sandugo a team to watch is that it will be reinforced by two Thai aces — Jeng Bualee and Utaiwan Kaensing.
Cagayan Province, on the other hand, hopes to spring a surprise on a team built around the mainstays of Perpetual Help squad, including April Sartin, Sandra de los Santos, Norie Jane Diaz and Shyrra Cabriana with support from Joy Cases, Jennifer Manzano and Honey Tubino.
Navy, meanwhile, has been sprucing up its roster that is also expected to be bolstered by the top players of the other schools not seeing action in the upcoming league.
Play will be a double round robin elims with the top four advancing to the crossover semis with the No. 1 team clashing with No. 4 and the Nos. 2 and 3 disputing the other finals berth in a pair of best-of-three series. The finals will also be a best-of-three affair.