MANILA – The Basilan Tennun Spikers and the AIP-University of Baguio-Benguet Province Cardinals square off at 8 a.m. when the 2022 Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League kicks off on Nov. 5 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Other games will pit Cignal HD Spikers against VNS Quezon City Griffins at 10 a.m., Imus AJAA Spikers against North Cotabato AMC G-Spikers at noon, National University-Pasay City Bulldogs against One Bulacan Republicans at 2 p.m., Baguio City Highlanders against Army Taguig City Troopers at 4 p.m., Bacolod City Tarags against Sta. Rosa City Lions at 6 p.m., and AIP-University of Baguio-Benguet Province Cardinals against PGJC Navy Sea Lions at 8 p.m.
Competition in the women’s division will start on Sunday with ICC Caloocan Lady Hawks battling KMS-Quezon City Lady Vikings at 8 a.m., UB Batangas City Brahmans tackling AJAA Imus Lady Spikers at 10 a.m., Davao City Lady Agilas meeting Tomodachi Bulacan Bulakeñas at noon and CPS Antipolo Babies taking on University of the East Lady Warriors at 2 p.m.
"After the successful hosting of VNL [Volleyball Nations League] last June, and the AVC [Asian Volleyball Confederation] Cup for Women last August, a lot of clubs all over the archipelago are fired up for real competitions. So, we’re expecting to see exciting action in this Champions League,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said on Thursday.
A total of 23 local government unit (LGU) based teams are participating in the Champions League which the PNVF is staging for the second time.
The men’s Pool A is composed of the PGJC Navy Sea Lions, Basilan-Tennun Spikers, Cignal HD Spikers, VNS-Quezon City Griffins and AIP University of Baguio-Benguet Province Cardinals. Pool B is made up of the Aklan Ati-Atihans, Imus City- AJAA Spikers, National University (NU)-Pasay City Bulldogs, One Bulacan Republicans and Pikit-North Cotabato AMC G Spikers. In Pool C are the University of the East (UE)-Cherrylume Red Warriors, Baguio City Highlanders, Bacolod City Tarags, Sta. Rosa City Lions and Army-Taguig City Troopers.
In the women’s Pool A are the University of Batangas-Batangas City Lady Brahmans, ICC-Caloocan City Lady Bluehawks, KMS-Quezon City Lady Vikings and Imus City-AJAA Lady Spikers.
Pool B has 2021 first runner-up CPS-Antipolo City, Davao City Lady Agilas, UE Manila-Cherrylume Lady Red Warriors and Tomodachi Bulacan Bulakenyas.
Team Dasma (men) and F2 Logistics (women) won the inaugural Champions League held in a bubble environment in Lipa City, Batangas. (PNA)
