The Girls Athletic League of Schools is set to begin another season, this time strengthened by the support of one of the most passionate grassroots advocates in Philippine sports.
During a ceremony held Wednesday at The Boniprime in McKinley Business Park, Bonifacio Global City, Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation announced its partnership with GALS, which is organized by the La Salle Green Hills Alumni Association and the LSGH Student Affairs Central Body.
Now renamed the Akari Girls Athletic League of Schools, the competition will run from November 15, 2026, to February 14, 2027, at the historic St. Benilde Gymnasium in La Salle Green Hills.
For Akari CEO Christopher Tiu, supporting the league was an easy decision, especially given his personal connection to its previous iteration more than 30 years ago.
“My siblings, my sisters, most of them went to Immaculate Conception Academy,” said Tiu, whose company has supported and owned teams at both the grassroots and professional levels. “I recall there were some weekends when I would go with them, or I would drive them to watch some of the games.
“So when Henry [Atayde] and I were discussing it last year, the name GALS rang a bell, and I said, ‘This is something we would like to be part of. This is something we would like to partner with.’ I guess, over the years, GALS has been more than just a tournament. It’s been more than just a series of games or a fellowship of athletes.”
“The Akari GALS is now a platform. It’s a platform where young girls can discover their talent, where they’re able to develop their skills, where they’re able to build friendships and, most importantly, where they’re able to learn valuable lessons that they can bring in life long after the final whistle — and this is something we would like to partner with.”
This season, La Salle Green Hills and ICA will look to defend their respective titles in the Juniors and Midgets divisions after ruling their brackets in the previous campaign.
They will face a competitive field that includes Assumption College San Lorenzo, Ateneo de Manila University, Assumption College Antipolo, Everest Academy, St. Pedro Poveda College, St. Paul College Pasig, Pace Academy, Miriam College, Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College, St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina, De La Salle Zobel, St. Theresa’s College, and Don Bosco Technical College.
“The Akari Girls Athletic League of Schools represents more than competition. It is an opportunity to empower young women, celebrate teamwork, and nurture the values that sports instill in our students,” said LSGHAA President Dr. Jose Luis Angel B. Orosa III. “As an Alumni Association, we believe that our responsibility goes beyond serving our fellow alumni. We must also contribute to the growth and development of the students who represent the future of our school.
“By working together with La Salle Green Hills, our partners, and the wider community, we hope to help provide meaningful opportunities for young athletes to discover their potential, develop their character, and pursue excellence. We are proud to support initiatives that bring people together through sports and reflect the Lasallian values of faith, service, and communion in mission.”
Also present at the ceremony were LSGH Associate Principal for Student Affairs Mrs. Suzette Dahilan, former LSGHAA president Mike Marcos, and De La Salle University women’s volleyball team manager Cha Cruz, among others.
Set to officially open on November 15, the competition aims to provide another meaningful platform for the development of young female volleyball players.
“To all the organizers, mentors, coaches, students, and all proponents of Akari GALS — congratulations and thank you for believing and making sports an instrument for the progress of young student-athletes,” said Tiu.
