Shakey’s V-League Season 11: Meet the teams, know the game schedules

GAMES ON SUNDAY: (March 23 at the San Juan Arena)*

1:00PM Opening Ceremonies

2:00PM Ateneo vs. Adamson

4:00PM Perpetual vs. NU

*Aired LIVE on v-league.ph, aired the next day on GMA News TV

As the Shakey’s V-League (SVL) opens its eleventh season on Sunday (March 23rd) and will be parading twelve teams, including a record three provincial squads.

The twelve teams are the most in league history and highlights the rise in popularity of the sport in the archipelago and will also showcase a number of collegiate heroines playing for their schools for the last time as regular members of the roster.

Graduating players Sheila Pineda, Mayette Zapanta and May Macatuno of Adamson University, Czarina Berbano and Ara Mallare of San Sebastian, the Perpetual duo of Jane Diaz and reigning NCAA MVP Royse Tubino, Arellano’s Diane Ticar, Southwestern University’s Marilyn Llagoso, and defending champion National University’s Kuki Salibad, Mina Aganon and 2013 first conference MVP Din-Din Santiago will all be making their final appearances as varsity players and it sure looks that they intend to leave a lasting impression as their curtain call.

But while these volleybelles will be doing their swansong, some players will be making their debuts in the country’s premier women’s volleyball league, carrying with them some pretty hefty credentials.

First off is Cebu’s Karen Derder who led the Central Visayas selection and made a major splash in the recently concluded Shakey’s Girl Volleyball League. Derder, a high school senior out of the SWU program was among the scoring leaders in that competition and will be suiting up as a Guest Player for the Lady Cobras.

Southwestern is making its second tour of duty in the SVL and their short stint catapulted former students Danika Gendrauli and Rap-Rap Aguilar into the national team as members of the Power Pinays pool that saw action in the 2013 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship in Thailand. This time around, the Lady Cobras will be bringing an entirely different line-up, also reinforced by FAITH’s Lutgarda Malaluan.

SOUTHWESTERN:

#1 Janelle Cabahug

#5 Therese Rae Ramas

#6 Loida Abellana

#7 Karen Derder (GP)

#8 Sheena Quiño

#9 Necca Rose de la Llana

#10 Jerra Mae Pacinio

#11 Lutgarda Malaluan (GP)

#12 Sheila Mae Bongo

#13 Neresa Villanueva (Captain)

#17 Dyan Darantinao

#18 Marilyn Llagoso

Head Coach: Jordan Paca

Recently crowned UAAP queens Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) will be unveiling their six-foot open-spiker-in-training in Bea de Leon, who will get her first taste of competitive exposure with her school. The Lady Eagles will also be utilizing quicker Rissa Sato of Japan to complete their Guest Players. They will still have the full complement of the squad that dethrone De La Salle University in UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez, all-world libero Den-Den Lazaro, “Kiwi” Amy Ahorimro and the “Ellavator” Ella de Jesus. Ateneo is hoping to improve on its runner-up finish last season—the last sortie of its fabled “Fab Five”. Oh, and by the way, rookie center Ana Gopico is going to play; less than half a year since that harrowing MCL tear sidelined her.

ATENEO:

#1 Aerieal Patnongon

#2 Alyssa Valdez (Captain)

#3 Michelle Morente

#4 Ana Gopico

#5 Mae Tajima

#7 Giselle Tan

#8 Ella de Jesus

#10 Marge Tejada

#11 Tasha Faustino

#12 Jia Morado

#13 Den-Den Lazaro

#14 Kim Gequillana

#16 Amy Ahomiro

#17 Bea Tan

Rissa Sato (GP)
Bea de Leon (GP)

Head Coach: Anusorn “Tai” Bundit/Parley Tupas

For Adamson University, they reacquire the services of one of its most iconic players in Pau Soriano, this time paired with former Cagayan Valley stalwart Patcharee Saengmuang. This combo adds the height dimension that was sorely lacking during the Lady Falcons’ campaign during Season 76. Pineda, Zapanta and the emerging Amanda Villanueva and Mylene Paat will be expected to carry the load for what is now looking like a very stacked Adamson squad.

ADAMSON:

#1 Sheila Pineda

#2 Pau Soriano (GP)

#4 Mylene Paat

#5 Mayette Zapanta

#6 Amanda Villanueva

#7 Jellie Tempiatura

#8 Fenela Emnas

#9 Faye Guevara

#10 Anna Velasco

#11 Princess Listana

#12 Jessica Galanza

#13 Patcharee Saengmuang (GP)

#14 May Macatuno

#15 Marleen Cortel (Captain)

#16 Keith Lebumfacil

#17 Erika Alkuino

Head Coach: Sherwin Meneses

As of this writing, half of the participating teams have yet to enlist Guest Players. However, rumor has it that the University of Santo Tomas (UST) will be introducing freshman sensation Ennajie Laure—the daughter of professional basketball player Eddie—as one of its reinforcements. The Tigresses are one of four UAAP teams that will not be losing any of its varsity players to graduation and are deemed to fare well this conference and from their line-up, it looks like they’ll be going through it without a veteran reinforcement.

UST:

#2 Midori Hirotsuji

#3 Chlodia Cortez

#5 Jem Gutierrez

#6 Pam Lastimosa (Captain)

#7 Tricia Santos

#8 Mela Tunay

#10 Alexine Cabanos

#11 Patrisha Rasmo

#12 Dancel Dusaran

#14 Loren Lantin

#15 Jessey de Leon

#16 Julienne Depante

#17 Shannen Palec

#18 Marivic Meneses

Head Coach: Odjie Mamon

The Far Eastern University had a memorable run during UAAP Season 76 and despite the presence of seven rookies finished fifth. Many credit their early cohesion and impressive performance to them being the only collegiate squad that took part in the SVL Open Conference. It doesn’t look like the Lady Tamaraws are interested in acquiring as Guest Player this conference.

FEU:

#1 Tin Agno

#2 Bernadeth Pons

#3 Charm Simborio

#4 Toni Basas

#5 Glyssa Torres

#6 Joannabelle Dionela

#7 Genevieve Casugod

#8 Samantha Dawson

#9 Remy Palma

#10 Yna Papa

#11 Kyla Atienza

#12 Gyzelle Sy (Captain)

#13 Mayjorie Roxas

#14 Rizalie Amaro

Head Coach: Shaq de los Santos

All four of the NCAA teams that entered the Final Four will also be strutting their stuff this season. The College of St. Benilde returns to the SVL after a long absence and have a vastly improved line-up which includes two national team aspirants in Jannine Navarro and Jeanette Panaga along with head-turning libero Rica Enclona. They also have two solid Guest Players in former varsity player Rossan Fajardo (yes, Kim’s ate) and De La Salle-Dasmariñas’ Iumi Yongco.

CSB:

#1 Jannine Navarro

#2 Djanel Cheng

#3 Camille Gequillana

#4 Patricia Jimenez

#5 Therese Veronas (Captain)

#6 Jeanette Panaga

#7 Cindy Valencia

#8 Jane Borrero

#9 Iumi Yongco (GP)

#10 Rica Enclona

#11 Kym Ramos

#12 Maureen Loren

#13 Bianca Mangansakan

#14 Janica Lai

#17 Ranya Musa

#18 Rossan Fajardo (GP)

Roger Gorayeb will once again be filling airtime when the San Sebastian Lady Stags take to the court. SSC-R has one of the most intact rosters among the NCAA contingents and we all look forward to another powerhouse showing from wunderkind Gretchel Soltones, who wowed aficionados with her unbridled grit for SVL Open Conference finalist Smart-Maynilad—she’s still a teenager.

San Sebastian:

#1 Nikka Arabe

#2 Trisha Crisostomo

#4 Jonah Corpuz

#5 Gretchel Soltones (Captain)

#6 Czarina Berbano

#7 Lea Mojo

#8 Mae Crisostomo

#9 Ara Mallare

#10 Denice Lim

#11 Bea Uy

#12 Katherine Villegas

#13 Jolina Labiano

#14 Danielle Mojo

#16 Alyssa Eroa

Head Coach: Roger Gorayeb

Arellano University made a big splash by crashing into the NCAA Finals and also managed to steal one game from the Perpetual Lady Altas—the undisputed queens of the league. Many credit the amazing setting of the departing Ticar, while many also give props to power spikers Christine Rosario, Danna Henson and Shirley Salamagos. Eleonor Sierra and the returning Ronnery de la Cruz beef up the Lady Chiefs.

Arellano:

#1 Ronnery de la Cruz (GP)

#2 Jonalyn Ibisa

#3 Jeramie Valencia

#4 Elaine Sagun

#5 Diane Ticar

#7 Erika Calixto

#8 Menchie Tubiera

#9 Jan Eunice Galang

#10 Jovielyn Prado

#11 Nikka Cariño

#12 Lexyl Lou Oserio (Captain)

#14 Danna Henson

#15 Angelica Legacion

#16 Shirley Salamagos

#17 Christine Joy Rosario

#18 Eleonor Sierra (GP)

Head Coach: Obet Javier

Perpetual won their third straight NCAA crown after disposing of a pesky Arellano squad. It will be the last championship on the collegiate level for the celebrated tandem of Royse Tubino and Jane Diaz but Head Coach Sammy Acaylar (who is also the lead mentor of the 2014 Power Pinays) is in the midst of creating yet another dynasty; much like his successful men’s volleyball program which has won 47 consecutive NCAA matches. Believe it or not, Acaylar is making his SVL debut. There is still some uncertainty on the their second Guest Player.

Perpetual:

#1 Vhima Condada

#2 Joy Calleja

#3 Colleen Bravo

#4 Jamela Suyat

#5 Jane Diaz

#6 Anne Guillermo

#7 Ana Diocareza

#8 Shaira Cabriana

#9 Zarina Berba

#10 Shallane Eniong (GP)

#11 Marijo Medalla

#12 Wendy Abcede

#13 Joy Ching

#14 Jana Sta. Maria

#15 Royse Tubino (Captain)

Meanwhile, let’s meet the two new provincial squads:

St. Louis University (SLU) – Baguio City

#1 Florence Madulid

#2 Laarni Quezada

#3 Roxanne Almonte

#4 Maureen Agudia

#5 Sunshine Banjawan

#7 Czarina Mejia

#8 Elaine Joy Daniel

#9 Marian Torres (Captain)

#11 Colleen Rossi

#12 Eileen Gani

#13 Krissian Tsuchiya

#14 Allysa Aquino

#17 Joanne Lunday

#18 Loraine Geronimo

Head Coach: Henry Fuentes

Davao All-Stars (Mindanao)

#1 May Shiel Agton

#3 Ma. Aurora Enriquez

#4 Irish Dignadice

#5 Ronnie Concepcion (GP)

#6 Princess Joy Oliveros

#7 Jocemer Tapic

#8 Mary Grace Berte

#10 Reynelen Raterta

#12 Kween Mary Claire Dawang

#14 Angel Mae Antipuesto

#15 Cherry Ann Balse

#18 Venus Flores (Captain)

Head Coach: Abet Bernan

And finally, the defending champions cometh.

With the Salibad, Aganon and the elder Santiago playing in their final conference as regular players, the Lady Bulldogs and Head Coach Edjet Mabbayad will be going all out to defend the title they attained last year. They still have the arsenal to do it, but have two distinct absences: Finals MVP Rubie de Leon and superstar libero Jen Reyes. Many have observed the rapid progress from young setter Ivy Perez and maybe she might be able to get it done, but teenage floor defender Fatima General still needs to sharpen her tools to be anywhere close to the Jen Reyes icon. Her exposure here as NU’s lone libero could hasten that process. They have no Guest Player on record as of now. Let’s see if they elect to forego that option and still defend their crown.

NU:

#1 Gayle Rose Valdez

#2 Ivy Perez

#3 Jaja Santiago

#4 Mina Aganon

#5 Fatima General

#6 Kuki Salibad

#7 Rizza Jane Mandapat

#8 Jarene Salazar

#9 Aiko Urdas

#10 Asi Soliven

#12 Desiree Dadang

#15 Arianna Dequito

#16 Din-Din Santiago

#17 Myla Pablo

Head Coach: Edjet Mabbayad

Here’s the preliminary round schedule:

San Juan Arena Sun 23 March

2:00 PM ATENEO vs ADAMSON

4:00 PM N U vs PERPETUAL

San Juan Arena Tue 25 March

2:00 PM S W U vs ST LOUIS

4:00 PM F E U vs SAN SEBASTIAN

San Juan Arena Thu 27 March

2:00 PM ARELLANO vs S W U

4:00 PM ST LOUIS vs ADAMSON

San Juan Arena Sun 30 March

2:00 PM SAN SEBASTIAN vs U S T

4:00 PM ATENEO vs ARELLANO

San Juan Arena Tue 01 April

2:00 PM S W U vs BENILDE

4:00 PM PERPETUAL vs SAN SEBASTIAN

San Juan Arena Thu 03 April

2:00 PM ADAMSON vs S W U

4:00 PM BENILDE vs ARELLANO

San Juan Arena Sun 06 April

2:00 PM S W U vs ATENEO

4:00 PM U S T vs F E U

San Juan Arena Tue 08 April

2:00 PM ARELLANO vs ST LOUIS

4:00 PM SAN SEBASTIAN vs N U

San Juan Arena Thu 10 April

2:00 PM ADAMSON vs ARELLANO

4:00 PM N U vs F E U

San Juan Arena Sun 13 April

2:00 PM PERPETUAL vs F E U

4:00 PM U S T vs N U

San Juan Arena Sun 20 April

2:00 PM F E U vs DAVAO

4:00 PM BENILDE vs ATENEO

San Juan Arena Tue 22 April

2:00 PM DAVAO vs PERPETUAL

4:00 PM ST LOUIS vs BENILDE

San Juan Arena Thu 24 April

2:00 PM N U vs DAVAO

4:00 PM ATENEO vs ST LOUIS

San Juan Arena Sun 27 April

2:00 PM DAVAO vs U S T

4:00 PM ADAMSON vs BENILDE

San Juan Arena Tue 29 April

2:00 PM SAN SEBASTIAN vs DAVAO

4:00 PM U S T vs PERPETUAL

San Juan Arena Thu 01 May

Play-Off Match or Start of Quarters

All the info I have so far is here, guys. I’ll be broadcasting the opening festivities and inaugural double-header with “Miss Cavite” herself, Anne Remulla. So I guess I’ll just see you all at SJA on Sunday, alright?

Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@NoelZarate) and email sportztackle@yahoo.com