GMA set to showcase NCAA Season 101 volleyball

Building Greatness

Fresh from the completion of the Juniors and Seniors Basketball portion of the 101st season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, GMA is set to showcase the clash for supremacy on the taraflex with the start of the volleyball tournament this Friday, January 23, at the San Andres Sports Complex.

The league is set to hold the Opening Ceremony at 10am, followed by a quadruple-header.

Defending champions College of Saint Benilde is set to kick off their quest for a fifth straight crown in the women's division in a high noon showdown against Mapua, to be followed by the duel between potential title challengers Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Arellano at 230pm.

The men then take over, with the CSB facing Mapua at 5pm and the capping off the festivities with the finals rematch between Letran and Arellano at 730pm.

This season's Volleyball Chairman Fr. Victor C. Calvo, Jr. shares, "For NCAA Season 101 Volleyball, we have some modifications like the [tournament format where there will be two groupings], so that the tournament will be more exciting and unpredictable. The Philippines is a volleyball country, so we are trying very hard to make this season, as much as possible, competitive, and for the enjoyment of the fans."

Like their basketball counterparts, the league has split the teams into two groups of five, with Group A featuring CSB, Mapua, San Sebastian, Jose Rizal University, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, and Group B comprising of Letran, Arellano, Lyceum, San Beda, and Emilio Aguinaldo College. The same format, including the play-in, will be adopted as well for this tournament.

Volleyball matches will be televised LIVE every Wednesday at 11am on GTV, and 230pm on both GTV and Heart of Asia. Fridays will be at 12nn and 230pm on HOA, while Sundays at the same time on both GTV and HOA. Games will also be streamed the league's official social media platforms, as well as on GMA Sports. Fans abroad will be able to watch through GMA News TV.

Regional TV Department and Concurrent Head, Central Office Operations and Synergy Officer-in-Charge Marivic Araneta says, "As the proud home of the NCAA, GMA Network, thru GMA Synergy, is committed to providing the best viewing experience for all the NCAA supporters and Kapuso sports enthusiasts. With the competitive spirit of all participating NCAA volleyball teams, this season’s... Volleyball Tournament is definitely something to look forward to. We invite everyone to show their support and witness the incomparable determination and world-class skills of all student athletes."