The Division 1 National Finals of the Rebisco Volleyball League (RVL) tips off on Monday, Sept. 14, at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The five-day finale of the annual grassroots tournament features 16 of the best 18-under teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao led by National University Nazareth School (NUNS), the defending champion seeking its fourth national title.
For the opening round, the 16 teams are divided into four groups, each playing a single round robin format
NUNS is in Pool A along with Holy Rosary College from Santa Rosa, Laguna, University of Perpetual Help from Las Pinas and Sto. Niño National High School, the only public school that made Division 1, from Davao Del Norte.
In Pool B are two-time national champion Bacolod Tay Tung High School, Naga College Foundation, University of Batangas and De La Salle Santiago Zobel.
In Pool C are Far Eastern University Diliman, De La Salle Lipa, Kings’ Montessori School and St. John’s Institute.
In Pool D are University of Santo Tomas, University of San Jose Recoletos from Cebu, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University from General Santos City and California Academy from Indang, Cavite.
The top team in each group will advance to the crossover semifinals. The winners in the final four will clash in the championship round.
Matches in the group stage will be a best-of-three sets affair. The semis and finals, on the other hand, will have a best-of-five duel.
“This is an opportunity for our student-athletes to grow and learn important values such as discipline, teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship,” said Ysay Marasigan, the Operations and Administration officer in charge of Action Republic Corporation, the sports and entertainment arm of Rebisco.
“RVL is committed to nurturing talent and building the sport from the grassroots level,” added Marasigan, who also said that Division 2 teams will have the chance to make Division 1 next year.
The RVL will also select the top 21 players in the tournament who will get a chance to train with Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Choco Mucho’s Dante Alinsunurin, and Criss Cross’ Tai Bundit.
