St. Scho, DLS-Lipa eye No. 2 in Shakey's volley

MANILA, Philippines - A heavy five-game bill, featuring the St. Scholastica-UST tussle and the De La Salle-Lipa-Univ. of Perpetual Help-Molino match, ushers in the third playdate of the eighth Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League at the San Juan gym today.

The St. Scho and DLS-Lipa spikers are shooting for their second straight victory and the lead in their respective divisions after hurdling separate rivals in last week’s inaugurals of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

St. Scho downed Univ. of the Phils. Integrated School, 25-17, 25-14, in Pool B action while DLS-Lipa held off Univ. of the East, 25-13, 25-17, in Pool D of the four-category tournament backed by Asics, LBC, Toby’s Sports and Mikasa.

But St. Scho will have its hands full against Univ. of Santo Tomas in their 10 a.m. encounter with the latter, runner-up to Hope Christian HS the last time out, likewise tipped to flex its muscle early.

DLS-Lipa, on the other hand, squares off with UPH-Molino at 1 p.m., confident of picking up its second win and gaining the momentum in the single round elims phase of the event sanctioned by the Philippine Volleyball Federation.

It will actually be a busy day for St. Scho as it is set to play two matches, taking on La Salle College-Antipolo at 2 p.m. The Antipolo tossers are also scheduled to see action twice in the day, playing the UP Integrated School at 11 a.m.

DLS-Canlubang, meanwhile, makes its debut against St. James College-Parañaque in the 9 a.m. opener of the weekend-only tournament which drew 20 teams from the major leagues in Metro Manila and Luzon.

The top four teams will advance to the crossover semis with the winners disputing the championship in the event serving as the regional eliminations for the Shakey’s Tournament of Champions slated April 4-8 in Bacolod.

Similar regional eliminations will also be held in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Bacolod with University of St. La Salle topping last year’s Tournament of Champions of the event featuring the rising and leading junior players.