THE Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League — the country's foremost grassroots sports development in volleyball — is getting better, bigger, and bolder.
An additional 10 squads, comprising Division 2, have joined, for a record-setting 30 participating teams from Manila and other regions, as the league unfolds its third season on May 28 at the La Salle Green Hills gym.
Repeat-seeking Adamson University led the 20 teams in Division 1 of the tournament, supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea.
“We have additional teams joining our regular tournament, and what’s new this year, in celebration of Shakey’s golden anniversary, is that we’re now having a Division 2. We will include the top 2 teams in Division 2 in Division 1 for the next season. Since the start of the GVIL, numerous schools have expressed interest in participating, but with our format in the past two years, we could only accommodate a limited number of teams,” said Dr. Ian Laurel, president of the organizing Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES).
Pool A of Division 1 includes the Lady Baby Falcons (who defeated Bacolod Tay Tung in last season’s finale), Lyceum of the Philippines University, Naga College Foundation, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and University of Perpetual Help.
Bacolod Tay Tung, Bethel Academy, De La Salle-Lipa, Chiang Kai Shek College, and Holy Rosary College make up Pool B, while Pool C comprises Kings’ Montessori High School, Arellano University, Corpus Christi School, inaugural champion California Academy, and De La Salle-Zobel A.
Reigning UAAP titlist National University-Nazareth School, Far Eastern University-Diliman, St. John’s Institute-Bacolod, University of the Philippines Integrated School, and University of Santo Tomas are in Pool D.
In Division 2, Pool E has La Salle Green Hills, Miriam College, De La Salle-Zobel B, Everest International Academy, and Assumption College-San Lorenzo while in Pool F are Assumption-Antipolo, St. Paul College-Pasig, St. Theresa College-QC, Domuschola International School, and Immaculate Conception Academy.
The best-of-three sets will determine the winners of Division 1 preliminary round matches in the grassroots volleyball league, which is backed by Mikasa, Asics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, Smart and GCash as technical partners. All frames, including the deciding set, will be played up to 25 points.
The top two teams in each group in pool play will advance to the knockout quarterfinals. The knockout semifinal and final matches will be played in best-of-five sets.
In Division 2, the top four teams in each group will advance to the knockout quarterfinals. The semis and final games are also winner-take-all affairs.
Meanwhile, the Shakey’s Super League Volleyball Summer Camp has opened at the Trevi Executive Village in Marikina from May 20, 21, 22, 23 and 26 from 8 to 10 a.m. Another camp will be staged at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan City, Laguna from May 26 to 30.
SGVIL games are available live and on-demand via SMART Livestream and Solar Sports.
