Shakey's V-League regionals off Sunday

CEBU, Philippines - The much-awaited 6th Season of the Shakey’s Girls V-League Visayas Regional eliminations fires off on Sunday at the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex in Lapu-lapu City.

Pajo National High School of coach Fr. Rolando T. Manayon will be defending its title against a tough field.

Also set to participate are Abellana National School, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of San Carlos and Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) champions University of Southern Philippines.

“We are very much ready for this event. I’m hoping that we could get this year’s title again. Although I’m not complacent this time since we are facing tough opposition but I just told the girls to really strive hard and to take every game as their last,” said Manayon.

 “I did not put any pressure to my players because this might distract them during the actual games. I just encouraged them to have self-discipline, open-mindedness and to execute teamwork,” Manayon added.

 There are 12 teams which confirmed their participation in this annual junior girls volleyball tournament with the champions earning the right to represent Cebu in the national championships, which will be hosted by the Queen City of the South on November 19-21 at the USC-Main gym.

 The rest of the participating squads are St. Louis School of Mandaue, Mandaue Comprehensive National High School, St. Theresa’s College, CIC-Mandaue, PAREF Southcrest, Don Gerardo Ouano National High School and San Isidro High School.

 This developmental sporting event follows the single round-robin format in each bracket with the top two squads advancing to the crossover semifinals.

The schedule was finalized yesterday during an organizational meeting held by the organizers at Shakey’s SM City Cebu.

 After a brief opening ceremony, Pajo will clash against Don Gerardo in a curtain raiser battle at 2:00 pm and will be followed by the battle of Southcrest against St. Louis.

 The rest of the matches features STC against San Isidro, USPF tackles USC, Mandaue Comprehensive faces USJ-R and Abellana tries to win against CIC-Mandaue. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)