Shakey’s V-League Season 11 unfolds with record 12 teams

MANILA, Philippines — With a record number of participating teams, the biggest Shakey’s V-League yet unfolds on Sunday.

“It’s the first time in the history of V-League that we’re having 12 participating schools,” said Moying Martelino, chair of league organizer Sports Vision at the weekly PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.

Among the 12 teams, the newly-minted UAAP champion Ateneo, led by season and Finals MVP Alyssa Valdez, appears to be the early favorite having won its first ever volleyball title in the collegiate league last Saturday in dramatic fashion.

But with each of the teams allowed to have either foreign or local guest players, the competition promises to be tough with UAAP semifinalist National University, reigning NCAA champion Perpetual Help, perennial contender San Sebastian, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Adamson, College of St. Benilde, Arellano, Cebu’s Southwestern University, St. Louis University of Baguio and Davao Lady Agilas looking to go all out as well.

The 12 teams are divided into two groups.

“We are truly nationwide in scope. We covered all the islands, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” Martelino said.

“It’s hard to say because teams are allowed guest players, they’re reinforced. Adamson has a Thai import anybody’s ball game. Foreign players and guest players mean a lot,” said Martelino on which team he thinks are the favorites to win.

The league’s First Conference begins with the Lady Eagles taking on the Lady Falcons in the first game set at 2 pm followed by the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Altas tiff at 4 pm at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. An opening ceremony will be held at 1pm.

Games will be aired on GMA News TV on a delayed basis.

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