Volleyball development in grassroots level safe and sound under Shakey’s and ACES partnership

As far as grassroots development in volleyball is concerned, the partnership forged between Shakey’s, and the Athletic Events and Sports Management (ACES) will stand on solid ground.

With the resurgence of volleyball in popularity and acceptance from Filipino sports aficionados, Shakey’s and ACES’s mission and vision to further develop talents at high school and collegiate levels will be continued for the love of the game.

“We’re together adopting the sports and helping out to sustain the program in developing young talents and preparing them for the higher level of competitions,” said Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., (SPAVI) president Vic Gregorio during the media conference on Monday for the 2^nd  Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) at the Robinsons Galeria activity center in Mandaluyong City.

The league opens shop on Wednesday, May 29, with tough 18 squads competing led by the defending champion California Academy and host Adamson – one of six UAAP squads out to dethrone the titlist.

“After a couple of years na mawala yung V-League, we’re still committed. Kaya when the opportunity to go back to the volleyball scene was presented to us by ACES headed by Dr. Ian Laurel, eh! Hindi na kami nagpakipot,” added Gregorio.

For his part, Laurel expressed his gratitude to Shakey’s for adopting volleyball – once again.

“Shakey’s support means a lot for expanding our reach and going further to develop and tap the talents of our young athletes, particularly in the provinces,” stressed Laurel.

“This is the start of our 2024 season. This is a part of the process and the production line ika nga for developing young talents in women’s volleyball. We’ll always be here to support high school and women’s volleyball. So, expect another exciting competition because all the teams are eager to win the title,” added Laurel.

Also attending the program are SPAVI CEO Jorge Concepcion, marketing head Oliver Sicam,  Smarts Sports representative Maggie del Rosario, coaches, and team captains of the 18 participating teams.

Aside from California Academy and Adamson, out to strut their wares are UAAP’s National University-Nazareth School, University Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University-Diliman, University of the Philippines-Integrated School, and La Salle-Zobel with NCAA’s mainstays Arellano,  University of Perpetual Help and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Provincial teams to watch are last year’s runner-up Naga College Foundation and Palarong Pambansa-bound Bacolod Tay Tung High School, along with  Bethel Academy of Cavite Chiang Kai Shek College, La Salle-Lipa, Holy Rosary College High School, Kings’ Montessori School and Lyceum Cavite.

All teams will battle in single-round robin prelims within their groups such as Pool A (Potato Corner), Pool B (R ‘n B Tea), Pool C (Peri-Peri), and Pool D (Shakey’s) with only the top two teams from each group advancing to the crossover knockout rounds.

California Academy of Antipolo begins its title defense against Chiang Kai Shek High School at noon at the Adamson University gym in Manila. The San Andres Gym in Manila will also host several games,

Also playing on opening day are Adamson against University of the Philippines Integrated School at 8 a.m.; De La Salle-Lipa against Bethel Academy at 10 a.m.; University of Santo Tomas against Bacolod Tay Tung High School at 2 p.m.; and Naga College against De La Salle-Zobel 4 p.m.

On his account, Gregorio said he is happy and proud with the resurgence of women’s volleyball.

“16 years ago masaya na kami na mapansin ang volleyball, but now we need a much bigger venue for girls and women’s volleyball. Kahit sino pa ang organizers mapa-professional man or collegiate level, masayang masaya akong nakikita na napuouno ang MOA at Araneta Coliseum. For Shakey’s, we’re committed to give women’s volleyball a sustainable program. We will do our best to provide the sports and the athletes the opportunity to shine,” said Gregorio.

 

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