THE future of Philippine volleyball will be on full display this Sunday (May 7) with the launch of the inaugural Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) featuring 16 high school teams at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Riding high on the rousing success of its collegiate pre-season tourney last year, the renowned pizza parlor, in partnership with Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc., (ACES) teamed up anew to gather the country’s brightest young stars for one grand summer volleyball extravaganza.
The Shakey’s-ACES tie-up gave birth to the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Tournament in 2022 that historically assembled all 18 teams from the UAAP (8) and NCAA (10), with National U rising as its first-ever champion.
This time, NU’s sister team— the NU-Nazareth School Lady Bullpups, which is coming off a championship in the UAAP juniors— headlines the 16-team GVIL cast along with visiting squads all the way from Cavite, Lipa, Bacolod and Naga.
“We’re very happy again to be involved in the future of Philippine volleyball. It’s almost like a full circle. I see the future of Philippine volleyball here and we’re grateful to partner with ACES once again. We assure that we’ll be doing everything we can to put the spotlight on these young players and teams,” said SPAVI president and CEO Vic Gregorio, who was joined by SPAVI general manager Jorge Concepcion.
ACES chairman Dr. Philip Ella Juico and president Dr. Ian Laurel echoed Gregorio’s sentiment, reiterating that they share the same vision in creating a platform for the up-and-coming players in the high school ranks, who in the process will carry the Philippine volleyball torch here and abroad.
“This will serve as a conveyor belt na gumugulong to college and the future of the Philippines. The chain could only go strong as its weakest link so in improving Philippine volleyball, the high school ranks play a key role and later on, the primary level,” said Juico.
“It’s about giving exposure to the Filipino youth. That’s the vision we share with Shakey’s. Nagkakasundo kami doon.”
