UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist Arellano headline the formidable 12-team field seeing action in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference kicking off July 11 at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Coming off a successful Open Conference won by PLDT Home Ultera, V-League organizers expect another explosive tournament that augurs well for teams bracing for their respective collegiate leagues later this year.
It will mark the biggest turnout of teams in the 11-year history of the tournament.
Arellano will banner Group A that includes National University, University of Batangas, University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University.
The Lady Tamaraws won the crown at the expense of National U last year.
Group B is composed of Ateneo, College of St. Benilde, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Technological Institute of the Philippines and six-time champion University of Santo Tomas.
The Lady Eagles loom as the heavy favorite with superstar Alyssa Valdez expected to spearhead their campaign.
Games in the event backed by Mikasa and Accel will be held Saturdays and Sundays.
“We expect a wide open battle for the championship with all teams coming into the event in top form with months of preparation,” said Sports Vision chair Moying Martelino.
The top four teams from each group after a single-round eliminations will move into the quarterfinals where they will be merged into one group that will go through a round-robin phase.