UE Jr spikers clinch semis berth

MANILA, Philippines –  Ten-time UAAP champion University of the East flexed just enough muscle to oust Colegio San Agustin, 25-15, 25-14, and clinch the top spot in the crossover semifinal round of the junior division of the first LBC Volleyball League at the Lyceum gym yesterday.

Ed Camposano fired seven kills while Kim Relcopan and Carl Manuel backed him up with five attacks apiece as the Junior Warriors rolled to their fourth straight win and into the semifinal round of the inaugural staging of the league sponsored by LBC Hari ng Padala.

National University, meanwhile, enhanced its semis bid as it subdued Xavier School, 25-21, 25-20, as the Junior Bulldogs tied the Sta. Elena spikers in second with a 3-1 card heading into the crucial stage of the single round elims.

Lord Luna rammed in 10 of NU’s 21 kills but the Junior Bulldogs needed to toughen up on defense to bundle out Xavier, which took its third loss against a lone victory in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza, Toby’s Sports, Dunkin’ Donuts, Mikasa and Asics.

Sta Elena, on the other hand, remained in the hunt as it scored a walkover win over ousted Ateneo.

University of Santo Tomas also stayed in the semis race as it trounced ISM, 25-12, 25-12, to tie Mayamot High School in second at 3-1 in Juniors B paced by Angeles University Foundation with a 3-0 mark.

In seniors action, Perpetual Help and Far Eastern U show the way in Division A with 3-0 cards while Ateneo totes an even 2-2 mark and St. Benilde and AUF out of the semis race with 1-3 and 0-4 slates, respectively.

Arellano continued to lead Seniors A with a 3-1 slate with National U and UE tied for second at 3-2 and University of the hilippines hanging on with a 2-2 mark.