MANILA, Philippines - A slam-bang, high-powered action looms right in the opener of the V-League Invitational Club Championship today as Army slugs it out with Malaysia and Ateneo clashes with Vietnam at The Arena in San Juan.
The short, single round tournament gives the compact four-team field no other choice but to pour it all out – each set, each game – to get a crack at the championship set Sunday.
The Troopers face a Malaysian team powered by former SEA Games campaigners, members of the national team and a number of junior standouts.
“We really had to prepare for this tournament, especially against Vietnam, which is very strong,” said Army coach Rico de Guzman.
Before they tackle the Vietnamese tomorrow, the Troopers must hurdle the Malaysians in the opener of the event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Accel and Mikasa.
Vietnam, runner-up to Thailand in the last five editions of the SEAG, has been installed as the pre-tournament favorite with a roster bolstered by two Russian six footers in Anactaxia Trernai and Ekoterina Martynova.
Ateneo, champion of the Shakey’s V-League Season 8 first conference, will get a first crack at the Viets at 4 p.m. with coach Roger Gorayeb pinning his hopes on the power-hitting duo of Alyssa Valdez and Fille Cainglet and mainstays Gretchen Ho, Dzi Gervacio, Dennise Lazaro, Jem Ferrer and Leal Patnongon.
The Troopers, meanwhile, boast of a number of Shakey’s V-League MVPs, headed by former national team members Michelle Carolino and Mary Jean Balse, Nerissa Bautista and the talented Rachel Ann Daquis, making them a strong title contender.
Backing up the squad, which dominated the second conference of this year’s Shakey’s V-League, are Cristina Salak, Marietta Carolino, Patricia Siasan-Torres, Ma. Theresa Iratay and Jennelyn Reyes.
Matches can be viewed on live streaming at www.v-league.ph.