Four matches kick off the National Capital Region leg of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League today with Hope Christian High School and UST colliding in an early clash of the favorites at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The HCS-UST duel in Pool A is set at 1 p.m. after the 12 noon opening rites of the ninth staging of the nationwide SGVL which culminates in the Tournament of Champions slated March 21-24 in Davao City.

National University and Rizal High School mix it up at 2 p.m., also in Pool A of the two-group tournament, sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Metro Sports, featuring the leading high school volley schools in Metro Manila.

Colegio San Agustin takes on Angelicum College at 3 p.m. in a Pool B clash that also features the Kings’ Montessori School-St. James Academy-Malabon faceoff at 4 p.m., also in Pool B.

Other competing teams in the event, sanctioned by the Philippine Volleyball Federation, are De La Salle-Zobel, Elizabeth Seton School and St. James College-Parañaque in Pool A while MGC New  Life Christian Academy, University of the East and UP Integrated School compete the Pool B cast.

The top two teams in both groups after the single round elims will clash in the crossover semis with the winners disputing the NCR leg crown and a berth in the T-of-C, according to tournament director Johanz Buenvenida.

Pajo National High School and De La Salle-Lipa made it first to the national finals by topping the Central Visayas and Southern Luzon legs, respectively, with the Northern Luzon regionals currently being held in Baguio City.

The Western Visayas-Iloilo leg is set Feb. 18-March 4, while the Western Visayas-Bacolod tournament will be held Feb. 19-March 4. Also on tap are the Mindanao Davao and the Eastern Visayas legs on Feb. 8-12 and Feb. 17-26, respectively.