National University’s Jaja Santiago. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MORE teams looked poised to challenge National University’s bid for another crown as the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference unfolds tomorrow.
The Lady Bulldogs return with another solid cast led by the 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago, but NCAA champion St. Benilde, San Sebastian, Ateneo and University of the Philippines vie to pull off an upset.
Santiago, the UAAP Best Spiker last season, returns with Jasmine Nabor, Joy Doromal, Aiko Urdas, Gayle Valdez, Jorelle Singh and Filipino-Japanese recruit Risa Sato.
The Lady Stags also boast a standout in two-time NCAA Most Valuable Player Grethcel Soltones, while the Lady Blazers leaned on Finals MVP Jeanette Panaga in their NCAA title romp.
Despite the graduation of volleyball star Alyssa Valdez, the Lady Eagles still have a shot at a return trip to the finals, while UAAP Rookie of the Year Isa Molde heads the Lady Maroons’ youthful but talented roster.
NU heads Group A teams Ateneo, San Sebastian, Technological Institute of the Philippines and Perpetual Help.
Bunched in Group B are UP, St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, San Beda and University of Santo Tomas.
Action fires off tomorrow with the Lady Maroons and the Lady Red Spikers clashing at 4 p.m., followed by the 6 p.m. duel between the Lady Stags and the Lady Altas.
St. Benilde also stands as favorite in the men’s division as the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference gets going.
The Blazers and the Green Archers kick off the action at 11 a.m., while the Maroons and the EAC Generals square off at 1 p.m. Jasmine W. Payo