La Salle stint gets green light

De La Salle University is forming a formidable team composed of veterans and new recruits that will see action in the inaugural staging of the Shakey's Super League 2022 Pre-Season Championship.

A league source confirmed that the Lady Spikers management had already informed organizers Monday morning of their intention to participate in the highly-competitive 18-squad tournament slated to begin on 24 September.

"La Salle was given the green light this morning. The team is now working on the requirements of players that the Lady Spikers will field," the source said.

The source added that the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 runner-up is expected to submit its lineup by Tuesday or Wednesday.

"For sure it will be a very competitive roster. We can see a mix of seasoned and new players," the source said.

UAAP veterans Alleiah Malaluan, Justine Jazareno, Jolina de la Cruz and Thea Gagatea are expected to lead La Salle's charge.

Other squads have already submitted their respective rosters in the all-to-play format tournament, which serves as a testing ground for teams in two of the country's most prestigious collegiate leagues.

The drawing of lots was done on Saturday with the Lady Spikers clustered in Pool D together with Far Eastern University, National Collegiate Athletics Association champion College of St. Benilde and Letran.

Reigning UAAP champion National University is in Pool C with Ateneo de Manila University, Jose Rizal University and Arellano University.

Pool B is composed of Adamson University, University of Santo Tomas, San Sebastian College, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Lyceum of the Philippines University while University of the Philippines, University of the East, Mapua, San Beda University and University of Perpetual Help are clumped in Pool A.

The top two teams of each pool in the round-robin group stage will advance to the next round. They will be grouped into two pools for another round-robin play against the teams that they have not yet faced in the preliminary to determine their ranking in the knockout quarterfinals.

The semifinals and finals are both knockout matches.