MANILA – A record 30 teams, led by defending champion Adamson University, are joining the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) starting May 28 at the La Salle Greenhills gym.

Adamson banners 20 schools in Division 1 of the highly anticipated high school tournament while 10 new teams are in Division 2.

“We have additional teams joining our regular tournament and what’s new this year, in celebration of Shakey’s golden anniversary, is that we’re now having a Division 2. Since the start of the GVIL, numerous schools have expressed interest in participating, but with our format in the past two years, we could only accommodate a limited number of teams,” Dr. Ian Laurel, president of Shakey's Super League (SSL) organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES), said on Thursday.

“But what’s good about it is that we work on expanding each year. From 16 teams during our inaugural edition, we had 18 last season, and this time, a total of 20 teams will be participating in Division 1. Plus, we now have a Division 2, where we can give other schools an avenue for development and exposure. And as an added incentive, the top two teams in Division 2 will be invited to join Division 1 next year,” he added.

Adamson, who beat Bacolod Tay Tung in last season’s finale, is with Lyceum of the Philippines University, Naga College Foundation, Emilio Aguinaldo College and University of Perpetual Help in Division 1 Pool A of the tournament supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.

In Pool B are Bacolod Tay Tung, Bethel Academy, De La Salle-Lipa, Chiang Kai Shek College and Holy Rosary College while in Pool C are Kings’ Montessori High School, Arellano University, Corpus Christi School, inaugural champion California Academy and De La Salle-Zobel A.

Reigning UAAP champion National University Nazareth School, Far Eastern University-Diliman, St. John’s Institute-Bacolod, University of the Philippines Integrated School and University of Santo Tomas make up Pool D.

In Division 2, La Salle Green Hills, Miriam College, De La Salle-Zobel B, Everest International Academy and Assumption College-San Lorenzo are in Pool E while Assumption-Antipolo, St. Paul College-Pasig, St. Theresa College-QC, Domuschola International School and Immaculate Conception Academy are in Pool F.

Division 1 preliminary round matches will be played in best-of-three sets in the grassroots volleyball league backed by Mikasa, Asics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, Smart and GCash. All sets, including the decider, will be played up to 25 points.

The top two teams in each group in the pool play will advance to the knockout quarterfinal. The knockout semifinal and final matches will follow a best-of-five sets format.

In Division 2, the top four teams in each group will advance to the knockout quarterfinal. The semis and final games are also winner-take-all affairs.

Meanwhile, the SSL Volleyball Summer Camp at the Trevi Executive Village in Marikina City will run until May 26 (8 to 10 a.m.). Another camp will be held at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan City, Laguna on May 26-30. (PNA)