NU duels Victoria as Shakey’s LoC unfolds

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region champion National University tests Team Victoria’s mettle while guest team Biñan squares off with Bangladesh in a pair of featured matches highlighting today’s opening of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 12 League of Champions at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Lady Bullpups, who foiled the UST side in four to rule the NCR leg, hope to draw the best from MVP Faith Nisperos, Kristine Magallanes and Jasmin Nabor as they take on the tall Aussies in the 5 p.m. match of an explosive five-game bill featuring the top teams from a grueling nationwide elims, two foreign teams and one guest squad.

Biñan, which will host the league’s Season 13, and Bangladesh, meanwhile, face off at 6 p.m., both out to make an impact in their first-ever stint in the league sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports.

Northern and Central Luzon winner Holy Faith Academy and Western Visayas titlist St. John’s Institute kick off hostilities at 3 p.m. after brief opening rites to be graced by Shakey’s and Metro Sports officials and other guests.

University of San Carlos, which topped the Central and Eastern Visayas elims, takes on Southern Luzon champion De La Salle at 4 p.m.

Holy Faith Academy and De La Salle are actually set to play two matches in the day as they tangle in the 7 p.m. main game of the two-division, five-day event backed by Mikasa, Asics, Volley Prep, Nature’s Spring, Sun Star, The Freeman Newspaper, Cebu Daily News, Chooga and Millenia Suites.

The top two teams from each group after the single round elims will clash in the crossover semis with the winners disputing the crown.

The annual league, considered as the breeding ground of volley talents, has produced the likes of Alyssa Valdez, Abby Marano, Ara Galang, Mika Reyes and Kim Fajardo along with sisters Dindin and Jaja Santiago, Jessey de Leon and Ennajie Laure, Mayet Zapanta and Amanda Villanueva and Bernadeth Pons.