EVENT LAUNCH. Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures president Vic Gregorio (right) talks about the forthcoming Shakey's Super League 2023 Pre-Season Championships during a press conference at Shakey's Malate in Manila on Thursday (Sept. 14, 2023). The tournament will kick off at the FilOil-EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Sept. 16. (PNA photo by Jean Malanum)
MANILA – All is set for the Shakey's Super League 2023 Pre-Season Championships, which will kick off at the FilOil-EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Sept. 16.
De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines are skipping this year's edition, leaving 16 teams – six from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and 10 from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) – battling for the crown.
The UAAP teams are Adamson University, Far Eastern University, University of the East, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, and National University (NU), which defeated La Salle in the finals last year.
Arellano University, College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, Letran College, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua University, University of Perpetual Help DALTA, San Beda University, and San Sebastian College-Recoletos are from NCAA.
Despite the absence of De La Salle, NU is still expecting a strong challenge from other teams.
"All teams will try to dethrone us, so we have to do our best and always be prepared every match," Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel said during the event's launch at Shakey's Malate in Manila on Thursday.
Also present were Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. president Vic Gregorio and general manager Jorge Concepcion; Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Fritz Gaston, representing chairman Richard Bachmann; Athletics Events and Sports Management, Inc. president and CEO Ian Laurel; and NCAA Management Committee chairman Peter Cayco of Arellano University. (PNA)
