Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League Launches with Record Participation
The 4th edition of the Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup is set to commence on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the La Salle Green Hills gym. This year's tournament boasts a historic 44 teams, marking a significant increase in participation and highlighting the growing popularity of high school volleyball in the region.
Divisions and Team Structure
The league is organized into two divisions: Division 1 features 20 teams, led by defending champion National University-Nazareth School (NUNS), while Division 2 includes 24 teams, with reigning titlist Domuschola International School at the forefront. Notably, a guest team from New Zealand, the Diverse Auckland Cubs, adds an international flair to the competition.
Dr. Ian Laurel, president of league organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc., emphasized the exponential growth in interest. "Since establishing the second division last year, more schools have approached us to join. We now have 20 teams in Division 1 and 24 in Division 2, including a team from New Zealand. It's an honor to host them again this year," he stated during a press conference at Shakey's Paseo de Magallanes.
Pool Breakdown and Key Matchups
In Division 1, teams are divided into four pools of five squads each. NUNS, which clinched last year's title in a five-set finale against Bacolod Tay Tung, leads Pool A alongside King's Montessori, inaugural champion California Academy, Lyceum of the Philippines Academy, and Bethel Academy. Other pools feature strong contenders like Adamson University, the 2024 champion, and De La Salle-Lipa.
Division 2 consists of four pools with six teams each. Domuschola International School, last year's winner over Everest International Academy, heads Pool E. The inclusion of teams such as Miriam College and San Beda University ensures competitive play across all groups.
Tournament Format and Incentives
Preliminary round matches in both divisions will be played in best-of-three sets, with all frames, including deciding sets, contested up to 25 points. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout quarterfinals, while semifinal and final matches will be one-game affairs played in best-of-five sets.
As a major incentive, the champions and runners-up from both divisions will be invited to participate in the SGVIL Invitationals in July. This special event will feature matches against high school teams from the United States and Japan, providing an exceptional opportunity for international exposure and competition.
Dr. Laurel added, "We are planning a special edition of the SGVIL Invitationals this July, inviting the top two teams from both divisions to play against their US counterparts." This initiative underscores the league's commitment to fostering talent and promoting global sports exchange.
