P1.9M prize pot awaits 17 collegiate teams in Shakey’s Super League Unity Cup

By Edwin Rollon

Shakey’s is saving one of its biggest volleyball offerings for last, putting up a staggering ₱1.9 million total prize purse for the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup, which brings together 17 of the country’s leading collegiate volleyball programs.

The tournament will open September 25 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, with the participating schools set to unleash their best lineups in pursuit of the championship, prestige, and the coveted ₱1-million top prize.

Organized by ACES, headed by Dr. Ian Laurel, in partnership with Shakey’s, headed by President Vic Gregorio, the Unity Cup is shaping up to be a highly competitive finale to the year’s collegiate volleyball calendar.

With a rich field of collegiate standouts set to see action, organizers expect a series of closely fought matches as the participating schools battle for supremacy and the lion’s share of the prize money.

“The competition will be tough and challenging,” said Laurel, as the participating teams step up their preparations for the tournament.

The ₱1 million championship prize adds extra motivation for the teams since Shakey’s promotional Bandel will give a portion to all participating teams, and the other top finishers will share the remaining purse.

The Unity Cup promises to give collegiate players another major platform to showcase their talent before a passionate volleyball audience.

With 17 schools competing and a substantial prize purse at stake, the SSL Unity Cup promises to cap the year with a high-stakes collegiate volleyball showdown.

The other playing dates are September 26, 27; October 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25, and November 6, 7, 8 13, 14, 15, 20, 22, 29, and December 4 (if necessary).

"How else can we make it more exciting? Let’s just make sure we do it right. We do give the best benefits we can to our stakeholders. But we must abide by regulations, and we must always be fair in our operations and execution of the league,” said Gregorio.

The five-peat-seeking NU Lady Bulldogs are in Pool A with San Beda University, Arellano University, University of Perpetual Help, and NCAA champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Newly crowned SSL National Invitationals champion and last year’s Unity Cup runner-up University of Santo Tomas, College of Saint Benilde, Jose Rizal University and Mapua University comprised Pool B.

Far Eastern University, Ateneo De Manila University, Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian College-Recoletos are in Pool C, while Adamson University, University of the Philippines, Lyceum University of the Philippines and University of the East, which makes a comeback after skipping last year’s edition, are in Pool D.

The top two teams of each pool will advance to the next round, where they will be divided into two groups for another round-robin play.