Teams from Manila, Cebu and Iloilo arrive in Bacolod City today for the national finals of the Shakey's Girls' Invitational Volleyball League that starts Thursday at the University of St. La Salle College Covered Court.

Scheduled to plane in this morning are Manila champion Hope Christian School and Cebu representative University of Southern Philippines-Foundation. Iloilo will be bannered by Central Philippine University. USLS-Integrated School will carry Negros Occidental's hopes for another national volleyball crown.

Roger Banzuela, former president of the Philippine Volleyball Federation, yesterday said that local organizers have already installed taraflex, a synthetic floor that allows good grip and reduce the stress on the players' joints from impact with the floor, at the venue.

Banzuela, who has seen all four finalists play in their respective local eliminations, singled out HCS as the team to beat in the third edition of the tournament, won last year by University of the East.

HCS smashed University of Sto. Tomas to rule the Manila elimination.

Banzuela, also the USLS sports director, said the host team stands a chance to take the crown away from the Big City if they play well consistently.

La Salle blew its twice-to-beat advantage but managed to pull off a four-set victory over Doña Hortensia Salas Benedicto National High School in the Negros finals Sunday.

"They're very excited because the level of the competition is high," La Salle coach Malot Lozada said yesterday.

The tournament will adapt a single-round robin format with the top two teams colliding for the title Saturday morning, Banzuela said , adding that at least two teams will have a two-game schedule everyday.

The La Salle team is composed of Dancel Jan Dusaran, Gianes Dolar, Kate Zaldarriaga, Fritz Joy Gallenero, Vaniessa Aboy, Bea Tan, Merryl Ledesma (not Soriano as earlier reported), Jane Borero, Janelle Cawaling, Yricka Navarro and Kristine Caro.*CPT

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