Challenging but fulfilling.

This is how Dr. Ian Laurel, president of organizing Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc., described the successful staging of the Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League.

"The challenge was there. We learned a lot. We encountered a number of first-time problems. It's a huge learning experience, we faced a lot of challenges but we pulled this off," Laurel said.

Staying true to its commitment of helping develop volleyball at the grassroots level, ACES and Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. headed by president and chief executive officer Vicente Gregorio heeded the call for the return of the pioneering league featuring the best girls' high school teams in the country.

"We did it because there was a clamor for it," Laurel said.

"This is what is missing (in developing our volleyball players). I would like to call it a gap that as early as high school we should be able to see the development of the players. That's where their skills go better, that's where their bodies develop more and (they get to) play organized volleyball," he added.

"So we believe what better way to do that than to start at the high school level."

The ACES official shared that the interest in reviving the tournament through SGVIL came up during the inaugural staging of Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship late last year.

"After the Pre-season and actually even during the SSL when it was ongoing we have received numerous messages that we should do it in high school," Laurel said.

"This came from the schools that had teams that hoped that we could do the same for the high school level."

According to Laurel, they only put serious attention to holding a high school tournament after the maiden SSL tournament.

"After the collegiate (pre-season tournament) was done, more schools from all over (the country) were asking if we could put up a national tournament for high school girls' volleyball," he said.

"So, I thought maybe it's worth looking into."

Shakey's, a brand synonymous with its unwavering support of local volleyball, gave its nod when ACES presented its proposal.

The rest is history, as they say.

After the league's sponsor gave the greenlight, inquiries from interested schools started pouring in.

But only 16 teams coming from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, National Collegiate Athletic Association and the provinces made the cast.

Reigning UAAP juniors champion National University-Nazareth School along with Adamson University, De La Salle-Zobel, Far Eastern University-Diliman, University of the Philippines, University of Perpetual Help, Arellano University, Kings Montessori, Saint Clare College and Grace Christian College Foundation headlined the Manila-based squads in the list.

Joining them were provincial squads California Academy, De La Salle-Lipa, Emilio Aguinaldo College-ICA, Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite, Naga College Foundation and Bacolod Tay Tung High School.

Laurel, however, admitted that running a tournament on such a large scale also had quite a few challenges.

First, SGVIL had to follow the Department of Education's circular on non-academic activities to be held only on weekends as well as adhering to health protocols to ensure the safety of the student-athletes.

Then there were the logistical issues.

"We had to be upfront with them that we cannot provide lodging, or accommodation in Manila. We cannot provide transportation because of budget constraints," Laurel said.

"The provincial teams know about that from the very start. But they were very much willing (to shoulder the expenses). I think the brand Shakey's historically pioneered this tournament so I think it carries a lot of meaning to these schools. They trust the brand, its connection to volleyball and the exposure it could provide will give them a big boost."

In fact, the teams coming from the provinces were the ones who took the spotlight as they occupied the podium.

The Antipolo-based California Academy reigned supreme as it completed a tournament sweep capped by a four-set win over Naga College Foundation in the final.

Bacolod Tay Tung took bronze after sweeping fancied NU-NS in the battle for third proving that provincial teams are at par in talent and skills with their Big City-based counterparts.

"The podium finishers have a very bright future. Collegiate coaches are intently watching and talking to them and trying to convince them to play in their school for college," Laurel said.

"It's great that because of GVIL they were able to show their talents and capabilities."

Looking forward to next year's edition, Laurel vowed that it will be bigger and better.

"It's just our first time staging it so hopefully we could improve it next year and admit more (teams)," he said.