NU-Sta. Elena in the Spikers’ Turf Finals. Photo from Spikers’ Turf
MANILA, Philippines — Spikers’ Turf squads are set to see action in the second season of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League, which opens on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
Cignal HD Spikers and National University, the finalists of the recent Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, lead the 15-team cast for the all-local government unit based tournament, which ends on November 13.
The HD Spikers, who settled for a runner-up finish in the men’s club tournament, try their luck in the Champions League as they are grouped in Pool A with fellow Spikers’ Turf teams, PGJC Navy Sea Lions and VNS-Quezon City Griffins, as well as Basilan-Tennun Spikers and AIP-University of Baguio-Benguet Province Cardinals.
NU-Pasay City Bulldogs also participate in Pool B with provincial teams, Aklan Ati-Atihans, Imus City- AJAA Spikers, One Bulacan Republicans, and Pikit-North Cotabato AMC G Spikers.
Meanwhile, club teams Sta. Rosa City Lions and Army-Taguig City Troopers join University of the East-Cherrylume Red Warriors, Baguio City Highlanders, and Bacolod City Tarags in Pool C.
Eight teams will clash in the women’s division divided into two groups with University of Batangas Lady Brahmans, ICC-Caloocan City Lady Bluehawks, KMS-Quezon City Lady Vikings, and Imus City-AJAA Lady Spikers clashing in Pool A
California Precision Sports-Antipolo City, the lone holdover from last year’s inaugural season, is slated in Pool B with Davao City Lady Agilas, UE Manila-Cherrylume Lady Red Warriors, and Tomodachi Bulacan Bulakenyas.
“This year’s Champions League is all about the LGUs so we expect more exciting matches ahead,” said PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara. “It’s going to be a battle of pride for these LGUs. It’s going to be more competitive than last year.”
Suzara added this Champions League edition will also be “part of the selection for the national teams next year.”
The 23 teams were drawn to their respective pools in a virtual proceeding supervised by PNVF Don Caringal on Sunday.
The PNVF Champions League was inaugurated in December last year under a bubble environment in Lipa, Batangas, where F2 Logistics ruled the women’s division, while the defunct Dasma Monarchs emerged as men’s tournament champions.