MANILA - The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) will hold a tournament for boys and girls 18 years old and below starting on Feb. 17 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum here. Sixteen senior high schools and club teams have confirmed their participation in the event aimed at discovering future national athletes. California Precision Sports-Antipolo City, Paranaque Thunderbolts Volleyball Club, Santa Rosa City, Angeles City and Sto. Nino de Praga Academy (Trece Martires, Cavite) are fielding teams in the boys' and girls' divisions. "The Under-18 Championships aims to keep the pool of young players active. This tournament serves as a feeder for future national teams," said PNVF President Ramon "Tats" Suzara in a news release on Wednesday. The PNVF is expecting more teams to register this week after several schools and clubs have already sent letters of intent. Competing in the boys' division are Philippine Christian University (Manila), Queen Ann School (Santa Rosa), Justice CM Palma High School (Quezon City), Hermosa Volleyball Club (Bataan), Municipality of Nagcarlan (Laguna) and Mayamot National High School (Antipolo City). Ateneo de Manila University, Grace Christian College Foundation (Taguig City), New Gen-Municipality of Sta. Cruz (Laguna), Mayamot National High School (Antipolo City), UVL-Science City of Munoz and Paranaque Berets are playing in the girls' division. Tournament director Oliver Mora said the matches will be played on weekends with the championship scheduled on March 12. Yul Benosa is the event director. (PNA) }