THE Philippine Superliga offers an overseas training incentive to the champion of the inaugural Collegiate Grand Slam.
The women’s teams of Far Eastern University, University of Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines, University of the East, Colegio San Agustin-Biñan and De La Salle University-Dasmariñas are seeing action in the first college championship of the league.
The winning team will undergo overseas training, likely in Thailand, according to PSL president Ian Laurel.
“These teams are preparing for their big tournaments so we will give incentives for their training camp, most likely it will be in Thailand for seven to ten days and this will be awarded to the winner. Magandang labanan ito pagdating dito sa incentive na ‘to,” Laurel said during the event’s launch on Thursday at Club Filipino in San Juan.
For the UAAP teams Lady Tamaraws, Lady Maroons, Tigresses and Lady Warriors, the tournament is an important part of the training for the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament.
“We take this as a blessing, isang malaking blessing para sa mga players, tapos magandang chance. Ang ineexpect namin is mainspire lalo yung players namin para maggain sila, para mas tumaas yung level ng skills ng mga players,” said FEU head coach Rey Diaz, who will bank on returning Toni Rose Basas, Ivana Agudo, Czarina Carandang, Gel Cayuna and rookie Lycha Ebon.
UST will lean on rookies Eya Laure, Ysa Jimenez and Maji Mangulabnan with Milena Alessandrini and Tin Francisco.
“Sa amin naman ‘yung expectations again, every tournament naman siyempre we take it seriously, lahat ng mga teams naman ay pinaghahandaan so hindi ganoon kadali ‘yung games pagaaralan at saka paghahandaan,” said Fernandez.
The Lady Maroons and Lady Red Warriors also have the same goals.
“My team is composed of very young rookies and veteran members so this tournament will help my team get exposure,” said UP coach Godfrey Okumu, who has returning Tots Carlos and setter Ayel Estrañero leading the young team.
“I believe that my team will learn again how to deal with their losses and wins in every game. So to me it’s a process of growth to my team, especially the young players coming in.”
“‘Yung sa UE, ang expectation lang isang magandang preparation para sa darating na UAAP season. ‘Yung mga teams na makakalaban namin competitive,” said the new UE coach Karl Dimaculangan, who has Judith Abil, Roselle Baliton, Mary Anne Mendrez and libero Kat Arado on the roster for the PSL event.
De La Salle Dasmariñas and Colegio San Agustin hope to steal the show from the UAAP teams.
“From the south mababa ‘yung competition so karangalan namin na makasali dito. Expect namin magexpose ng player for preparation sa liga namin,” said DLSU-D coach Joven Racelis.
“Big break namin ‘to kasi first time namin sumali PSL. We expect na mamaximize ‘yung skills ng players and magandang exposure ito,” said CSA-Binan coach Rey Anthony Beniga.
The single round robin opens on November 3 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, with the top two teams clashing in the final while the No.3 and No.4 squads battle for the bronze.
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