Shakey’s V-league season 11 Lady Bulldogs eye repeat, redemption

MANILA, Philippines - National University is all set for the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference unfolding Sunday at The Arena in San Juan, not only for its defense of the crown but also for redemption following its failed bid in the UAAP women’s volley where it was one of the title favorites.

In fact, the Lady Bulldogs didn’t reach the finals despite finishing at No. 2 and gaining a twice-to-beat edge in the stepladder semis, losing to eventual champion the Ateneo Lady Eagles in sudden death.

But Dindin Santiago and company are raring to atone for that heartbreaker of a debacle and get back not only at their tormentors but also at the entire field that has likewise toughened up for the V-League battle tipped to go down-to-the-wire.

NU edged Ateneo in a rubber match to nail its first-ever Shakey’s V-League crown last year but the Lady Bulldogs are in for a rough ride this time owing to the depth of the competing field, that includes the top teams in the UAAP and NCAA and three provincial squads out to prove their worth in the country’s premier women’s volley league.

Still, the Lady Bulldogs are itching to get going with coach Edjet Mabbayad to pin his hopes not only on the power-hitting Santiago but also on her sister Jaja and mainstays Aiko Urdas, Carmin Aganon, Myla Pablo, Rizza Mandapat, Fatima General, Desiree Dadang, Arianna Dequito, Mae Salazar, Precious Salibad, Ivy Perez, Jocelyn Soliven and Gayle Valdez.

So confident are the Lady Bulldogs that they did away the tapping of a reinforcement for their title-retention drive in the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and which draws a record 12-team roster.

Meanwhile, “Shakey’s V-League: Where it all started” will be the league’s new tagline starting this season in reference to its pioneering effort to set off a local volleyball tournament exclusively for ladies back in 2004, according to Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.

NU heads Group B that includes the winningest team in the league UST along with many-time NCAA titlist San Sebastian College, Far Eastern University, Perpetual Help and newcomer Davao Lady Agilas.

Ateneo, on the other hand, topbills Group A along with Adamson, St. Benilde, Arellano, Baguio’s St. Louis University and Cebu’s Southwestern Universtiy.

The top four teams from each side after the single round elims will advance to the quarters where they will again be divided into two in another single round phase. However, games played by the teams in the same groups in the elims will no longer be played while the results will be carried over to the quarters.

The top two squads from each side will clash in a crossover semis, a best-of-three with the winners clashing for the crown in another best-of-three duel.

Matches will be aired on GMA News TV on a delayed basis.