Pajo, SHS-Ateneo belles hurdle opening matches

CEBU, Philippines- Pajo National High School of  Lapu-Lapu City and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu got off to winning starts in the Central and Eastern  Visayas leg of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 12 last night at the Aznar Coliseum.

Pajo NHS served early notice of its serious title campaign after it pinned down St. Theresa's College, last year's runner-up, in straight  sets, 25-21, 25-20, while SHS-Ateneo had little trouble in cruising through a 25-12, 25-14 victory over Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus.

After spotting the weak side of Hijas de Jesus, the Ateneans pounced on their foes using an 8-0 run behind the service of Cristina Danielle  Mercado to rip the game apart. After Hijas de Jesus scored on a service error by Mercado, SHS Ateneo made a 5-2 run on the way to post a  lopsided 13-point win in the second set.

Despite utilizing its other players from the bench, SHS-Ateneo still proved too much to handle for Hijas de Jesus as it easily muscled its  way to a commanding 17-6 lead.

After relaxing a bit, SHS-Ateneo fielded back its starting unit to fashion out another rout in the second set. Angela Grace Jurado sealed  the deal for SHS-AdC with three straight points under her service .

SHS-Ateneo and Pajo NHS shoot for their second straight win when they take on the University of  Southern Philippines Foundation  and PAREF-Southcrest School, respectively, in today's second playdate of the five-day tournament organized by Metro Sports and co-presented by Mikasa and Asics.

Hijas de Jesus, on other hand, hopes to bounce back quickly but it would be a tall order for them as they take on defending champion  University of San Jose-Recoletos this afternoon, in the same way with STC as it takes on next the equally-tough Southwestern University.

USJ-R, SHS-Hijas de Jesus, SHS-Ateneo, USP and the University of San Carlos are bundled in Group A, while SWU, Pajo, PAREF-Southcrest, STC, Don Gerardo Ouano Memorial NHS, and last minute entry Mary Help of Christian School-Minglanilla are pooled in Group B.

They will play in a single round robin format, with the top two teams after the classification stage advancing into the crossover semifinals.

The winners will then clash for the championship and the right to represent the region to the League of   Champions set January 18-23, 2015 at the  Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. (FREEMAN)