Powerhouses UST, La Salle return in Shakey’s V-League

MANILA, Philippines – Powerhouse squads University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle return to action when the second conference of the Shakey’s V-League opens on October 19 at The Arena in San Juan City. The two schools' return was confirmed by V-League operations director Ricky Palou. UST and La Salle took a one-conference leave from the league, citing academic reasons. Other teams seeing action in the tournament are: first-conference winners Adamson, perennial NCAA titlist San Sebastian, newly crowned WNCAA champion Lyceum, and perennial contender Far Eastern University, along with dangerous Ateneo and College of Saint Benilde. The Tigresses and the Lady Archers are the winningest teams in the V-League - having won three titles each - which means their addition is expected to raise the tournament’s quality of play. Teams could get one guest player and one alumna for the second conference. UST coach Shaq delos Santos said that they have picked Mary Jean Balse as its guest player and Venus Bernal as the alumna player, making sure that one of the best duos in volleyball will stay with the Tigresses. “Balse and Bernal are assured of playing for us, that is why we have started training for the V-League," said delos Santos. Adamson will still have first-conference MVP Nene Bautista and Janet Serafica as its guest and alumna players, respectively. Ateneo got Charo Soriano, while San Sebastian picked Jinni Mondejar as their alumna player. The Lady Falcons said they are eyeing a guest player from Thailand. Defending UAAP women’s champion FEU acquired Ers Iratay as its guest player and Joan Bunag as the alumna player. Adamson is looking to repeat as champions after the Lady Falcons swept the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the best-of-three finals. – GMANews.TV