Veteran-laden Far Eastern University tests the mettle of rebuilding San Sebastian College-Recoletos to open the hostilities in the third staging of the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Friday at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Opening serve of the Pool D showdown is set at 3:30 p.m. with the Lady Tamaraws looking to begin their campaign on a high note following a runner-up finish in the National Invitationals last July.
The Tina Salak-mentored squad, which took home bronze in last year’s edition of the centerpiece tournament, boasts an intact roster led by setter Tin Ubaldo, National Invitationals 2nd Best Middle Blocker Jean Asis, Chenie Tagaod and Faida Bakanke.
“Ibibigay namin ang best namin sa game and magandang exposure na rin ito para sa mga rookies namin para makita kung anong kaya nilang gawin,” FEU assistant coach Joanne Bunag said.
The Lady Stags of multi-titled tactician Roger Gorayeb are determined to give the Lady Tamaraws a tough time with skipper Katherine Santos, Von Dimaculangan, Kristine Dionisio leading the way.
Meanwhile, University of the East and Lyceum of the Philippines University face off at 6 p.m. in Pool B to cap the first playdate of the centerpiece SSL tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water.
The Lady Warriors will see the return of 2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Best Opposite Spiker Jelai Gajero after suffering a knee injury last year.
UE will also pin its hopes on Casiey Dongallo, Kizzie Madriaga and KC Cepada to set their podium aspirations in the tilt which has Smart Sports, Mikasa, Asics, Rebel Sports, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), SM Tickets as technical partners in motion.
“We just hope that the girls are all healthy and perform the way they normally do in practice and apply those in the game and continue moving forward from there,” UE deputy Doc Obet Vital said.
However, the Lady Warriors are sure to encounter stiff resistance from the Lady Pirates led by reigning NCAA 1st Best Middle Blocker Hiromi Osada and Best Opposite Spiker Janeth Tulang, Johna Dolorito, Joan Doguna and playmaker Venice Puzon.
“Bibigyan namin sila ng madandang laban. Sabi ko nga sa mga bata di naman kailangang pressure and dala-dala sa loob. Just enjoy the game and learn from it,” Lyceum coach Cromwel Garcia said.
Games will be available live and on-demand via Puso Pilipinas, SMART Livestream, Solar Sports Channel 70 on Sky Cable and Channel 59 on Cable Link.
Games Friday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. — SSC-R vs FEU
6 p.m. — Lyceum vs UE
