NU tossers trip Warriors, stay in race

MANILA, Philippines - National U put up a gutsy stand and repulsed University of the East, 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, to remain in the hunt in the first LBC Men’s Volleyball League at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros over the weekend.

Peter Torres and John Paglinawan scored eight kills apiece while Danilo Ramose and Edwin Tolentino added six hits each as the Bulldogs closed their campaign in the single round elims with a 3-2 slate in Seniors B division of the premier event.

The loss stalled the Red Warriors’ semifinal bid as they fell to 2-2. UE needs to beat St. Dominic Savio in its final elims game to tie NU in second.

Arellano paces Seniors B with a 3-1 card with the top two advancing to the crossover semis with the top two finishers in Seniors B of the event sponsored by LBC Hari ng Padala and backed by Shakey’s Pizza, Toby’s Sports, Dunkin’ Donuts, Mikasa and Asics.

In juniors play, St. Francis of Assisi-Bacoor pulled the rug from under erstwhile unbeaten University of Santo Tomas, 25-21, 25-23, to stay alive for a semis crack in Juniors B.

The power-hitting Kevin Camacho uncorked six kills while Robin Marcial and Aries Yabut tossed in five and three hits, respectively, to help the Junior Doves nail their second win against a setback.

UE likewise firmed up its bid with a scrambling 20-25, 25-7, 25-17 victory over Sta. Elena, for its second straight win. Sta. Elena dropped to 2-1.

Colegio San Agustin, meanwhile, notched its first win after three straight losses, beating Ateneo, 25-22, 25-16.

The Pages drew a combined 32-hit job from Kim Relcopan, Edward Camposano and Karl Roque as they posted their second win in three matches, the same win-loss record by the Sta. Elena spikers.