At A Glance
- Reigning SGVIL champion University of Santo Tomas opens its bid for another title run when it banners the opening day of this year's foreign-flavored Shakey's Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Saturday, July 11, at the Playtime FilOil EcoOil in San Juan City.
(SSL)
Reigning SGVIL champion University of Santo Tomas opens its bid for another title run when it banners the opening day of this year’s foreign-flavored Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Saturday, July 11, at the Playtime FilOil EcoOil in San Juan City.
Spearheaded by spiker Mary Nicole Pelaez and libero Chasliey Naomi Pepito, nephew of UST women’s team captain Detdet, the Junior Golden Tigresses, who have 17 new recruits, are ready to test their skills and improve chemistry ahead of the volleyball action inUAAP Season 89.
UST ignites the action at 1 p.m. when it takes on Arellano, while Puzong Azul faces Guam’s Pacific Volleyball Academy, Inc. (PVA) in the following game. Bacolod’s St. John’s Institute is up against One La Salle. PVA and Arellano close out the quadruple-header.
“‘Yong goal lang namin po ngayong SSL is ma-expose pa namin ‘yong mga bago, mag-gain po kami ng experience na madadala po namin sa UAAP,” said Pepito.
“Marami po kaming matutunan sa kanila since makakalaro po namin ‘yong mga players na galing sa ibang bansa… ma-experience po namin kung paano sila maglaro, matutunan ‘yong sistema nila,” she added.
With six teams – two of which coming from California (Perfect Set Dream Makers) and Guam (PVA) – in the field, the organizers hope to strengthen the partnership of participating teams.
“Our players over here got to experience how players from other countries compete, that I think is the biggest takeaway they will have here,” said Dr. Ian Laurel, chairman and president of Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES).
“But also we want to establish relationships, friendships, and connections that would probably go towards more partnership in the future,” he added.
The competition runs from July 11 to 18 with all games set at the San Juan-based arena. On the other hand, the collegiate tournament, which has six participating teams – is slated July 19 to July 26.