MAY kabuuang 16 koponan ang sasabak sa nagbabalik na Shakeys Girls Volleyball Invitational League na papalo sa May 6 sa New San Andres gym.
Limang eskuwelahan mula sa UAAP, apat sa NCAA, at mga eskuwelahan na kumakatawan sa iba pang mga liga, kabilang ang ilan na nagmula sa mga lalawigan, ang magbabakbakan sa torneo na gaganapin tuwing Sabado at Linggo.
Dahil ang mga laro ay gagawin lamang tuwing weekends, anim na matches ang lalaruin kada araw sa unang tatlong linggo ng inaasahang five-week run ng meet.
“We’re excited because not only do we have the top UAAP schools, we have the top NCAA schools, and we also have the top non-UAAP and NCAA schools joining the tournament.
So we got the best of the best in the high school division,” pahayag ni Ian Laurel, presidente ng organizing Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES), sa Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum noong Martes sa conference hall ng Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Kasunod ng matagumpay na Shakeys’ Super League Collegiate PreSeason, binigyang-diin ni ACES chairman Philip Ella Juico na panahon na para magpokus sa paghasa sa young girls sa high school level.
“Now we’re turning our eyes on the high school division, both junior and high school. Suffice it to say, ACES is confining ourselves to schools. We are non-profesiional, strictly amateur organization that thrives on developing young men, and women and girls for futute endeavor. It starts here, but it doesn’t end here,” ani Juico.
Sina Juico at Laurel ay sinamahan sa session ng ilang participating teams — John Yude (Adamson), Aimee Mendoza (De La Salle-Lipa), Jennifer Arasan (Emilio Aguinaldo College), Gelina Luceno (National University assistant team manager), at Rhea Ramirez (Arellano University). Bukod sa La Salle Lipa, ang iba pang eskuwelahan na lalahok ay ang Bacolod Taytung, Naga College Foundation, California Academy, Kings Montessori, at Saint Clare.
“As we said invitational ito, parang naging national invitational championship. You have the cream of the crop,” sabi ni Juico.
“Having a high level competition, sama-sama UAAP, NCAA, and other schools, looking forward, each and every year for a big tournament like this, meron silang paghahandaan, may goals sila,” That’s what we aspired to accomplish with this high school level tournament,” dagdag ni Laurel.
Ang 16 koponan ay hahatiin sa apat na grupo, kung saan ang top two mula sa bawat bracket matapos ang pool play ay aabante sa playoffs.
Ang quarterfinals at semifinals ay kapwa knockout phase, ang finals ay pinaplanong maging isang best-of-three series.
Magtatapos ang torneo sa ikalawang linggo ng Hunyo.