UP kicks off Shakey’s V-League bid against Navy

University of the Philippines is determined to use the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference as part of its buildup for the UAAP.

The Fighting Lady Maroons, spearheaded by Nicole Tiamzon and Kathy Bersola, will begin the quest when they face Navy today at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Rookies Maris Layug, Justine Dorog, Isa Molde and Diana Carlos also get the chance to showcase their wares in preparation for the UAAP volley competition early next year.

“We know our experience here will help the team in the long haul,” said UP coach Jerry Yee.

UP also tried its hand in the recent Collegiate Conference topped by National U but failed to advance to the playoffs.

Tiamzon and Bersola, sidelined by an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury she had in the UAAP early this year, will also need more firepower coming from Princess Gaiser, Ajesha Gannaban, Caryl Sandoval, Arrianne Ilustre and Jewel Lai to meet Yee’s expectations.

In the Spikers’ Turf, Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp. is raring to prove its worth against Navy even as Instituto Estetico Manila slugs it out with Air Force in a pair of explosive conference openers.

Actor Richard Gomez headlines Sta. Elena along with former Infinity teammates Sylvester Honrade of San Beda, Perpetual Help’s Joven Camaganakan, Angelo Espiritu of St. Benilde, La Salle’s Mark Lee, Michael Antonio and Al-Frazin Abdulwahab.

Ranged against a tough Air Force squad, the IEM Volley Masters will be bannered by Jeffrey Jimenez, Ian dela Calzada and Jason Canlas.