The historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum will serve as the battleground for 18 of the country's leading college and university teams vying for the title in the inaugural Shakey's Super League 2022 Collegiate Pre-season Championship.

All eight schools from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and 10 teams from the National Collegiate Athletic Association have committed to participate in the tournament slated to open on 24 September.

"This is a historic tournament to be played at the equally historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum — the breeding ground of our sports heroes," said Philip Ella Juico, chairperson and CEO of SSL organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc.

It will be the first time that the 6,100-capacity gym will be used for a local volleyball competition after hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

The 88-year-old coliseum has undergone renovation and restoration for the biennial meet three years ago.

"We thank the Philippine Sports Commission for the opportunity to use the facility," Juico said.

He added that Rizal Memorial Coliseum is the perfect venue because of its accessibility.

"Rizal Memorial Coliseum is situated at the heart of Manila. Fans will not have a hard time going to the venue because mass transportation is available around the area, especially with its proximity from the Vito Cruz station of the LRT," Juico explained.

The venue had also been home to exciting NCAA and UAAP tournaments in the past, giving long-time volleyball supporters a sense of nostalgia.

Fans are allowed to watch the games live but must present vaccination cards upon entry. Strict health protocols will be implemented.

Tickets are now available through ticketmax.ph.
For its initial offering, four action-packed pairings are scheduled on Saturday.

University of the East and Mapua clash at 12 p.m. followed by another Pool A encounter between San Beda University and University of Perpetual Help at 2 p.m.

NCAA defending champion College of Saint Benilde meets Far Eastern University in the 4 p.m. Pool D match while Pool B squads Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas square off in the 6 p.m. nightcap.