Ateneo opens Shakey’s V-League bid against UST

ATENEO gets a chance to prove it’s still the best in the varsity field as the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference unfolds today at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

With Alyssa Valdez still at the helm, the Lady Eagles open their title bid against University of Santo Tomas in the first game of a triple-header in Group B action at 12:45 p.m.

Valdez—the Ateneo star who powered the Lady Eagles to the UAAP championship in the last two seasons—is set to leave late this month to lead the Philippine team in the VTV Invitational Women’s Volleyball Cup in Hanoi from July 25 to August 1.

Far Eastern University also clashes with the debuting University of Batangas in Group A at 3 p.m., while San Sebastian and St. Benilde collide in Group B at 5 p.m.

Aside from Valdez, the Lady Eagles look to lean on Amy Ahomiro, Ella de Jesus, Bea de Leon, Kim Gequillana and Jhoanna Maraguinot, as standout setter Jia Morado won’t see action this conference.

Morado, who joined Valdez in the Philippine team in the recent Singapore Southeast Asian Games, may be sidelined for at least two months due to a knee injury.

Although the Lady Eagles remain favored, the Tigresses are expected to put up a challenge with a solid crew bannered by last season’s rookie sensation EJ Laure and veterans Pam Lastimosa, Carmela Tunay, Jessey de Leon and Marivic Meneses.

The Lady Tamaraws also hold the edge over the Lady Brahmans with a lineup built around Bernadeth Pons and guest players Jovelyn Gonzaga and Honey Royce Tubino.

San Sebastian, meanwhile, boasts another national team mainstay in Gretchel Soltones to head its campaign.

Rounding out this conference’s record 12-team cast are National University, Arellano, University of the Philippines and Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Group A and La Salle-Dasmariñas and Technological Institute of the Philippines in Group B.

League organizer Sports Vision said the first game will be aired live on GMA News TV. All three matches can also be viewed on live streaming at www.v-league.ph.