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| (Image Source: Fastbreak.com.ph) |
The premiere supporter of Philippine volleyball is making its return to the local volleyball scene as popular pizza restaurant brand Shakey's, in partnership with Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES), presents its Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship tournament slated to begin on September 24, 2022 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. And for the first time in the sport's history, the Shakey's Super League (SSL) will feature all member-schools of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic League (NCAA) which makes the inaugural edition of what was known as the Philippine Superliga more exciting prior to their respective upcoming women's volleyball tournaments to be held early next year.
Seeing action in the SSL every Saturday and Sunday for two months are Arellano University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, José Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapúa University, San Beda University, San Sebastian College – Recoletos, and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta as well as Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, National University, University of the East, University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas. At the league's press conference, ACES President Philip Juico expressed the organization's ecstaticness and excitement over the SSL while ACES Chief Operating Officer and SSL President Dr. Ian Laurel shared, "We’re very excited about this conference as we will be able to watch college and university teams compete before the start of their respective collegiate seasons. The competition will take place every weekend for 8-9 weeks. We want to make sure that the student athletes are able to concentrate on their studies and have the opportunity to play on the top level during the weekend. We are very fortunate to have as venue Rizal Memorial Coliseum. We will be the first one to use it as a volleyball venue after the Southeast Asian Games."
On the other hand, Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI) President and Chief Executive Officer Vicente Gregorio was excited about the joint venture with Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES) and being part of the now more popular sport in the country. “I remember very well when Shakey’s was first approached to help volleyball (in 2004). Volleyball was not a popular sport as it is today. I thought it was an opportunity for our company and for our brand. In Shakey’s, na-miss namin ‘yong involvement in volleyball. We always felt this is a sport synonymous already to the Shakey’s brand and vice versa,” Gregorio said. Shakey’s, a brand that’s been actively involved in Philippine volleyball since 2004, is more than excited to be rejoining the scene once again as they “feel there’s such a strong bond between Shaley’s group and volleyball, and today, it speaks for itself.” Coinciding with the inaugural season of the league, SPAVI announced the launch of an initiative to raise funds for the 18 school teams participating in the 2022 Collegiate Pre-season Championship - the SSL Bundle. Patrons of the biggest and most popular pizza restaurants in the country can help in the initiative by simply buying the SSL Bundle. Every purchase of the SSL Bundle, which consists of Shakey’s best-selling pizza, juicy chicken, mouthwatering pasta, and drink, Php100 will be donated to the customers’ chosen school. SuperCard holders will also get a free dessert pizza in every SSL Bundle. “I think it was a great opportunity for our brand to pay back for the patronage that the brand was enjoying in the country. What I can assure is that every single member of the Shakey’s family is in full support of the Shakey’s Super League. We’re gonna commit once again to our very best to help develop not just the players but the coaches and the fans to provide opportunities to further the development of volleyball in the country,” Gregorio said. Elated with Shakey's Pizza's grassroots programs, Juico stated, “We are hoping to raise at least Php20 million through Shakey’s Pizza’s SSL Bundle. The fund that will be raised will be given to participating schools to help their respective volleyball programs. So aside from the cash incentives that the league will give to the top teams. All the NCAA and UAAP schools will also receive hopefully more than Php1 million from Shakey’s."
18 collegiate volleyball teams have been divided into four pools. The top two teams from each pool move on to the next round where they will compete in pool play anew in two groups of four. The results of the pool play will determine the seeding from first to eighth for a crossover quarterfinals. This will then be succeeded by the semifinals and the finals. From the quarterfinals on, it will be a direct knockout game for the teams, with no twice-to-beat advantage, or series formats in the competition. All the SSL games are aired live via online streaming on Facebook and TikTok powered by Plus Network and on IBC 13 with a delayed telecast on Solar Sports. Tickets for the SSL games are available either at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex main gate or online via Ticketmax. Spectators are required to present a valid ID or government-issued ID with picture and their vaccination card upon entry, with face masks still mandatory inside the venue. "We will follow the guidelines and protocols set by the CHED, so there will be a single entrance and a single exit. We will have authorizations there, do the checking there and in all critical zones and areas of the coliseum," said Laurel on the league's observance of health protocols. Fans are also prohibited from interacting with players and other team members. Other restrictions include children under five years, large banners, and outside food and beverages.
Following the pre-season intercollegiate tournament, ACES is eyeing the staging of the National Invitational Championships beginning on February 2023 which will be participated by the top three teams in the UAAP and NCAA women's volleyball tournaments and six different squads from different parts of the country - two Luzon, two Visayas and two Mindanao. "We will continue to make sports a force for good. Sports is supposed to bring out the best out of all of us," Juico concluded.
