SSL eyes Ynares, Filoil

Organizers of the Shakey’s Super League are looking at staging its inaugural season in two venues that would put them closer to volleyball fans.

Athletics and Events Sports president Ian Laurel said they are looking to launch their season either at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City or the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan to make the games accessible to fans.

“We’re looking at holding our games at either Ynares or Filoil,” said Laurel, one of the prime movers of the very successful Philippine Superliga before the Covid pandemic hit the country two years ago.

“Aside from the players, coaches and team staff, we also consider our accessibility to volleyball fans, who are composed of high school and college students. I hope they could join and support us the same way they supported the PSL in the past.”

Tipped to serve as a preseason tournament, the fledgling league will see the best teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines colliding for the crown.

Our target is to have two game days per week so that it won’t be taxing to the players.

So far, all NCAA teams have already confirmed while from the UAAP, only the University of the Philippines and Adamson University have yet to come up with a solid commitment.

With that, fans will get to witness two of the best teams in the collegiate ranks — College of Saint Benilde and National University — clashing for the title.

Laurel said they considered the academics, athletic and personal lives of student-athletes when they plotted the format.

“Our target is to have two game days per week so that it won’t be taxing to the players. This will be just like how they are used to in their respective leagues,” said Laurel, a former star player of University of Santo Tomas men’s volleyball team.

“We will have four matches per game day so that will be at least one game per team.”

Laurel said they will have special meeting in the coming days to determine the groupings.

“We will draw lots to be fair with everybody. We will announce that in another press conference after our general technical meeting,” Laurel said.