Hope Christian opens title retention bid vs Perpetual-Laguna

Hope Christian High School opens its bid for a sixth straight title when it takes on University of Perpetual Help-Laguna at the start of the 8th Shakey's Girls Volleyball League on Saturday at the San Juan Gym. The Hope-Perpetual match is at 11 a.m. after the 10 a.m. opening game between St. Scholastica's College and University of the Philippine Integrated School. University of the East and La Salle-Lipa, two teams tipped to contend for the title, slug it out in the 1 p.m. third match while La Salle-Zobel and Angeles University Foundation square off at 2 p.m. Sixteen other teams will be competing for the title in the weekend-only tournament being sanctioned by the Philippine Volleyball Federation. Other competing schools are St. James-Parañaque, Angelicum, Imus Institute, La Salle-Antipolo, University of Perpetual Help-Molino, Colegio San Agustin, MGC New Life Academy, Elizabeth Seton School, Grace Christian College, University of Santo Tomas, Unida Christian School and La Salle-Canlubang. "With the participation of top teams from Metro Manila and nearby towns and the leading squads from the WNCAA, UAAP, Palarong Pambansa, STCAA and CLARAA, we expect a tight and top-notch competition," said Metro Sports president Freddie Infante. The top four teams after the elimination round will advance to the crossover semifinals, with the winners battling for the title. The tournament is also the regional eliminations for the Shakey's Tournament of Champions on April 4-8 in Bacolod. Similar regional eliminations will also be held in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Bacolod. University of St. La Salle topped last year’s Tournament of Champions. – JVP, KY, GMANews.TV