Power-packed V-League set

**Admin Magic Man13** Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:09 am

MANILA, Philippines — The pillars of Philippine volleyball slug it out when the second conference of the Shakey’s V-League gets off the ground Sunday with the creation of the Open Tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Sports Vision chairman Moying Martelino, whose group and title sponsor Shakey’s form the backbone of the event, said during a media briefing Thursday that the presence of teams from the Armed Forces and a commercial team and three powerhouse schools is expected to upgrade the quality of play.

“We have the seven best teams in the country. We want to give the fans the best competition in women’s volleyball so we’re bringing it to a higher level,” said Martelino.

Ateneo, San Sebastian and Perpetual Help will be joined by squads from the Air Force, Army and Navy and commercial team Maynilad.

“This is some kind of a pilot project. If this becomes successful, we will then be holding the Open tournament right after the regular (school) conference each year," Martelino said.

Organizers initially invited Meralco to field a squad but Sports Vision president Ricky Palou said the former was not yet ready to join the league.

Still, the roster of players is of high quality with former MVPs Nene Bautista, Suzanne Roces, Aiza Maizo and Cherry Macatangay and former starts Rachel Daquis, Joy Cases, Giza Yumang, Jen Manzano and Charise Anceta suiting up for various teams.

Games will also be shown to 10 countries, including Singapore and the US via GMA Pinoy TV on a delayed basis.

Navy appears to be the team to beat as it boasts of two-time MVP in Roces and Bautista. Backing them up are seasoned spikers in Micmic Laborte, Janet Serafica, Joan Carpio and Daphne Mata.

The seven squads will play a single round elimination format with the top six advancing into the single-round quarterfinals.

The top four teams will play a crossover, best-of-three semis, with the semis winners set for the best-of-three title showdown and the losers also figuring in a race-to-two duel for third.

Kristel Satumbaga, Manila Bulletin