3 new teams seek rousing debut in Shakey’s V-League

Philippine Christian University, Adamson and University of the East plunge into women’s volleyball wars for the first time, raring to strut their wares and create an immediate impact in the V-League presented by Shakey’s beginning Saturday at the Blue Eagle gym in Ateneo.

PCU and Adamson clash at 3 p.m., both hoping to come out strong on teams built around the core of the squads, which finished runners-up in the NCAA and UAAP, respectively.

"We’re happy to be here in the V-League but we’re not just here to play, but also to win," said PCU mentor Butch Odron, who steered the Taft-based school to the 2003-2004 NCAA titles.

Other members of the squad are guest players Amy Cojuangco and Lani Cervantes, Grace Magtibay, Romalyn Manzano, Arlene Bernardo and libero Jannette Barrera.

Adamson, on the other hand, boasts of a formidable roster headed by national team mainstays Cherry Rose Macatangay and Rubie de Leon, tapped as guest players for a team that also placed second in the UAAP, the University Games and the Torribios Cup last year.

Macatangay, an Adamson alumna, is the country’s top spiker while De Leon, who played college ball for perennial UAAP champion Santo Tomas, is a heady setter who could make things happen for the Lady Falcons.

"What I have here is a solid team that can challenge any team for the crown," said Adamson coach Dulce Pante, already a fixture in the sport having coached in collegiate volleyball for more than three decades now.

Expected to provide Macatangay and De Leon the needed support are Christine Andave, Rizza Laguiller, Jacklyn So, Pauline Mendoza, Hannah Suarez and libero Donalyn Adajar.

The Lady Warriors, meanwhile, battle the Ateneo Lady Eagles at 4:30 p.m., eager to make their presence felt early in the second conference of the event presented by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by ABC-5, Mikasa and Accel.

The event, launched in 2004 to revive the sport and bring back the glory days of women’s volleyball, will have its playdates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 4 p.m.

ABC-5 will air the games every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The coverage includes select choices of the day’s best plays and other highlights during games itself.

Completing the eight-team roster are defending champion De La Salle, Lyceum, Far Eastern U and San Sebastian.

Format is a single round elimination, with the top five advancing to the double round, carry-over semifinals. The two teams that have the superior records at the end of the semis will meet in the best-of-three Finals.

An incentive to contend for the second Finals slot will be given to the team that will win five of its eight games in the semis.