12 teams dispute PVL crown

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 12 collegiate squads will compete in the inaugural Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference, which will kick off over the weekend.

 

The teams will be divided into two groups.

 

Group A will feature defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs along with UAAP runner up Ateneo Lady Eagles, NCAA's San Sebastian Lady Stags, Lyceum Lady Pirates, JRU Lady Bombers and UAAP semifinalist FEU Lady Tamaraws.

 

Group B will be bannered by NCAA defending champions Arellano Lady Chiefs, Benilde Lady Blazers, San Beda Red Lionesses, Adamson Lady Falcons and TIP Lady Engineers.

 

Notable names who will lead their respective squads are National U's tower Jaja Santiago, Ateneo's Jho Maraguinot, UP's Isa Molde and San Beda's Ces Racraquin.

 

The top two teams in each group in the single-round robin eliminations will face off in the crossover semifinals, with the winners advancing to the championship and the losers battling for third.

 

Arellano will face Benilde on Saturday followed by a showdown between Ateneo and JRU.

 

Meanwhile, the men's division will feature eight teams composed of UAAP's Ateneo Blue Eagles, NU Bullogs, FEU Tamaraws, UST Growling Tigers, UP Fighting Maroons, La Salle Green Spikers and NCAA's Benilde Blazers and San Beda Red Lions.