A record-setting 30 teams will participate in the third staging of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL), unfurling on May 28 at the La Salle Green Hills gym.
The highly anticipated high school volleyball tournament, featuring bets from Metro Manila and other regions, promises to be one for the books.
Twenty schools, led by repeat-seeking Adamson University, will duke it out in Division 1, and 10 new teams will clash in Division 2 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. 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 SSL organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES).
“But what’s good about it is that we work on expanding each year. From 16 teams during our inaugural edition, we had 18 last season, and this time, a total of 20 teams will be participating in Division 1. Plus, we now have a Division 2, where we can give other schools an avenue for development and exposure. And as an added incentive, the top two teams in Division 2 will be invited to join Division 1 next year,” Laurel added.
The Lady Baby Falcons, who defeated Bacolod Tay Tung in last season’s finale, are bunched with Lyceum of the Philippines University, Naga College Foundation, Emilio Aguinaldo College and University of Perpetual Help in Pool A of Division 1.
Pool B is composed of Bacolod Tay Tung, Bethel Academy, De La Salle-Lipa, Chiang Kai Shek College and Holy Rosary College while in Pool C are 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.
Division 1 preliminary round matches in the grassroots volleyball league backed by Mikasa, Asics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, Smart and Gcash as technical partners will be played in best-of-three sets. All frames, including the deciding set, will be played up to 25 points.
The top two teams in each group in the pool play will advance to the knockout quarterfinal. 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 quarterfinal. 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.