ABS-CBN Sports & Action to air V-League

MANILA, Philippines – The Shakey's V-League has teamed up with ABS-CBN Sports and Action as its official television partner.

 

Ricky Palou, who heads the organizing Sports Vision, told The STAR that ABS-CBN Sports and Action Channel 23 will start televising league games starting in the 13th Shakey's V-League Open Conference on Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City.

 

"Yes, it's official, the Shakey's V-League has partnered with ABS-CBN," Palou said.

 

Pre-season favorite Pocari Sweat will take on a dangerous University of the Philippines at 4 p.m. while National University clashes with with Laoag City at 6 p.m.

 

ABS-CBN and the V-League have actually started talks as early as two months ago but only came to terms yesterday after the former agreed to allow the latter to use Shakey's V-League as its title sponsor.

 

"It will be called Shakey's V-League still, and not V-League presented by Shakey's, in our first two conferences and we'll sit down again to talk," said Palou.

 

The partnership should be a game-changer for the league after it changing television partners constantly in its three years of existence.

 

"We're happy with the partnership and we feel ABS-CBN's entry will help the league grow even more bigger and better," said Palou.

 

Former collegiate stars Michelle Gumabao and Melissa Gohing of La Salle and Myla Pablo of National U will star for the Warriors as they face off with the Lady Maroons spearheaded by Kat Bersola, Isa Molde, Justine Dorog, Diane Carlos and veteran Nicole Tiamzon.

 

Pocari Sweat will also be coached by multi-titled Ateneo mentor Tai Bundit.

Not to be outdone is NU,  which will be coached by Roger Gorayeb and led by Jaja Santiago, Aiko Urdas, Jorelle Singh and Fil-Jap rookie sensation Raisa Sato.

 

Laoag will be coached by Nes Pamilar, formerly of Cagayn Valley.

"We have no big expectations, we just want to gain experience," said Gorayeb.

 

Bali Pure, a team headed by collegiate star Alyssa Valdez and playing coach Charo Soriano, will take the floor against Iriga at 6 p.m. and Air Force tangle with Baguio at 4 p.m. on May 30.