SWU faces uphill battle

CEBU, Philippines - A tedious task looms ahead for the Southwestern University (SWU) volleybelles in their quest for supremacy in the 9th Shakey’s V-League set to kick off on April 24 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

This as the SWU belles are bracketed along with defending champion Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Lady Eagles.

The other tough contenders in their bracket are Far Eastern University (FEU), National University and University of Perpetual Help, which will be SWU's first assignment on May 1.

SWU though is up for the tough challenge, bringing in topnotch players Nica Guliman and Genie Sabas to shore up its offensive arsenal. Guliman is presently a member of the Philippine women's volleyball team, while Sabas, a former star of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), was once a member of the Phl Youth squad.

“We chose them (Guliman and Sabas) because the coaches believe that ‘blocking’ would be our main weakness against the Manila teams. We are picking up the right imports to help us out in that aspect," said SWU athletic director Ryan Aznar.

With the addition of Guliman and Sabas, SWU head coach Jordan Paca is confident they will improve their fifth place finish last year.

“This year will surely be a tough battle for us but just like the other teams, we’ve prepared for this and that we will do our very best to fulfill our goal,” said Paca.

Prior to the Shakey’s V-League, the Lady Cobras gun for no less than the championship of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games set April 22-28 here in the Queen City of the South.

They have went through a rigid training regimen under the scrutinizing eyes of team consultant Sammy Acaylar, who is also the chief strategist of the Phl women’s team.

SWU, the reigning CESAFI grandslam champion, is composed of a star-studed roster in the mold of Danika Yolanda Gendrauli, Princess Anne Pido, Raphril Aguilar, Lorie May Layno, Marlyn Llagoso, Anna Bennova Sabanal, Charie Mae Diane-Liaz, Fretzie Aligway and Nerissa Villanueva.

Last season, SWU vanquished the San Sebastian College (SSC) Lady Stags and Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, but could only land at the top five after falling prey to the University of St. La Salle (USLS)-Bacolod. (FREEMAN)