ILOILO City – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and Akari Power Chargers will test each other’s mettle in a two-day exhibition game this weekend in Iloilo City and Bacolod City.
The Blue Eagles and the Power Chargers will first face each other at the University of San Agustin Gym here at 4 p.m. this Saturday, followed by the Bacolod City encounter at 4:30 p.m. at University of St. La Salle Gym.
Ateneo and Akari both have Western Visayas-based players in their roster with the Blue Eagles having Ilongga Roma Mae Doromal and Negrense Beutiliza Lomocso and Power Chargers playing with Ilongga Dani Ravena, and Negrense Geneveve Casugod.
The Blue Eagles roster also features Vanessa Gandler, Faith Nisperos, Sophia Ildefonso, Geezel Tsunashima, Lyann De Guzman, Takako Fujimoto, Kiara Cruz, Jean Licauco, Joan Narit, Yvana Sulit, Alexa Miner, Gena Hora, and Makana Kowalski.
The Power Chargers, on the other hand, are to be led by team captain Michelle Cobb, Lycha Ebon, Trisha Genesis, Jhoana Maraguinot, Jaja Maraguinot, Rachel Jorvina, Erika Raagas, and Ezra Madrigal.
Completing the Jose Edson Souza de Brito-coached Akari were Gyra Barroga, Carly Hernandez, Janine Marciano, Mary Antonette Landicho, Jamie Lavitoria, Krich Macaslang, Andrea Marzan and Chiara Permentilla.
“For Ateneo, facing Akari is a good opportunity for them to test their line-up in preparation for UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball,” said Gametime Sports founder Rodolfo Go Villaruz, who organized the Iloilo City leg of the friendly.
“On the part of Akari, they will also be tested, if their lineup is already formidable enough as they will compete in the upcoming Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference,” he added.
This will be the Blue Eagles’ first two matches in the Western Visayas soil this UAAP offseason as they are scheduled to return this October 9 in USLS Gym in Bacolod City to face University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.
“We are delighted that both Ateneo and Akari have accepted our invitation to play here in Iloilo City because the Ilonggo volleyball fans were very much looking forward to see their idols play live,” Villaruz said./PN
