Pajo belles claim major awards in Shakey's volleyball

CEBU, Philippines - Two players from Pajo National High School bagged two major awards in the Shakey’s Volley League Tournament of Champions in Davao City recently.

 Gretchel Soltones and June Mae Ares of Pajo NHS were named as the best server and best libero, respectively.Patrisha Kim Rasmo and Ma. Gisella Jessica Tan of the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod won the best receiver and best setter awards, while Mary Angeline Isabelle Cutiongo of Holy Family Academy was the event’s best blocker.

Pajo of coach Fr. Rolando T. Manayon settled for third by edging HFA, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-12. De La Salle-Lipa wound up fifth followed by BHS, New Ormoc City and Davao City National High.

Mighty Sports-Hope Christian High School swept Holy Family Academy, 25-21, 25-12, 25-15, in the semifinals then wore down University of St. La Salle, 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21, in retain its title.

With Desiree Cheng on the firing end, the HCS tossers recovered from a second-set setback as they imposed their will against the Bacolod-based squad in the third set then held sway in the fourth to complete the victory and cap their domination of the ninth staging of the event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

Cheng was later named the best attacker and went on to bag the MVP plum to add to her feat in the NCR leg of the tournament backed by Toby’s, Mikasa and Asics and organized by Metro Sports. Hope mentor Jerry Yee also took the best coach award.

Hope and Univ. of St. La Salle earlier swept the single round elims of their respective divisions with the former surviving a five-set scare from Pajo National High School, 25-15, 25-7, 16-25, 21-25, 15-12, to clinch the top seeding in Pool B.

USLS, on the other hand, demolished Baguio HS, 25-13, 25-18, 25-14, to top Pool A. Hope and USLS posted a pair of sweeps in the crossover semis with the latter repulsing a tough Pajo side 25-12, 25-22, 25-23.