The two teams battle other Luzon schools for a much needed slot for the national championships in Boracay, so they can defend their crowns.
After the Luzon qualifiers will be determined, the Cebuano teams could size up who they are up against in the finals.
The Visayas qualifying will be on March 27-28, followed by the Mindanao leg on March 29-30.
A total of 48 teams from 34 colleges and universities from all over the country will be battling for the top purse, which has gone up to P150,000, from last year’s P100,000. Runners up will get P75,000 and P40,000.
Luzon teams competing today are Adamson University, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Far Eastern University, Letran College, Lyceum University, Philippine Christian University, St. Francis of Assisi College, St. Louis University, San Sebastian College, University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, University of Luzon and the University of the Philippines.
Cebu teams, which have always been serious threats to the national crown, are also gearing up for their turn next weekend.
These teams include a stronger and tougher University of the Visayas of coach Raffy Briones (perennial runner up), a new lineup from University of San Jose- Recoletos of coach Grace Antigua (men’s champions 2002, 2004), and the beefed-up team from Southwestern University (women’s champion 2003, 2004, 2005).
The other schools from Cebu include University of San Carlos and University of Southern Philippines Foundation.
The other Visayas teams are from Foundation University, Iloilo Doctors College University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod and University of San Agustin.
The competition is sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball. (MCB)
