Volleyball action returns as NCAA Season 97’s Women’s Volleyball tournament opens on June 11

Collegiate volleyball action returns as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97’s Women’s Volleyball tournament kicks off this June 11 at the Paco Arena and simulcast live on GTV.

With eyes on a four-peat title, defending champion Arellano Lady Chiefs sets the pace for this season’s matches as it goes up against Mapua Lady Cardinals during the first match at 12 PM.

The Lady Chiefs bring under their belt three succeeding championship titles from Season 92, 93, and 94 before the NCAA had to cancel Season 95 due to the pandemic. With team captain Carla Donato and coach Obet Javier at the helm, the Lady Chiefs are sure to be a force to be reckoned with this season.  But the Lady Cardinals will surely put up a good fight with coach Clarence Esteban calling the shots and team captain Jonina Fernandez steering the rest of the Mapua players.

Banking on the power duo of Mycha Go and Gayle Pascual with coach Jerry Yee, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers are also aiming for another shot at the championship title. This Saturday, they begin their Season 97 journey going up against San Beda University at 2:30 PM. The SBU Lady Red Spikers will have to take the lead from team captain Justine Lapid and coach Nemesio Gavino.

“Volleyball fans can definitely look forward to an intense battle among our 10 schools  this NCAA Season 97 Women’s Volleyball Tournament,” said GMA Regional TV and Synergy First Vice President and Head Oliver Victor Amoroso. “With GMA Network having the widest reach in the country both on free TV and digital, more viewers and sports fans can catch the world-class talents of our volleyball players. Like you, we miss seeing our women volleyball players in action. This is why we look forward to the games which we are sure to be very intense.”

“After two years, we are finally seeing the return of contact sports. We started it off with the men’s basketball games, now we are bringing back the women’s volleyball tournament.  We are grateful for GMA Network’s support to make all of these possible. Our student-athletes can’t wait to play for their respective schools and families. We are happy that finally, volleyball action is back on NCAA,” added NCAA Season 97 Management Committee Chairman Manuel Raymund Castellano, Jr. of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.

Catch the NCAA Season 97 Women’s Volleyball games live from Paco Arena and simulcast on GTV beginning June 11. Viewers can catch the NCAA Season 97 live games airing every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday at 12:00 NN on GTV.

Games will also be streamed for free on the NCAA Philippines website (www.gmanetwork.com/ncaa), NCAA Philippines Facebook page and YouTube channel, and GMA Sports' Facebook and Twitter pages. Kapuso abroad can catch all the action via GMA News TV International.

Catch the latest sports news, as well as updates on and off-court with ‘Game On!’ airing at 12 noon and 2:00 PM on GTV, hosted by Martin Javier, Sophia Senoron, Anton Roxas, and Coach Martin Antonio.