AUF stuns St. Scho, reaches volley semis

MANILA, Philippines - Angeles University Foundation fought back from a set down and outlasted St. Scholastica’s College in a thrilling third-set duel, pulling off a 23-25, 25-16, 28-26 victory to clinch the last semifinal berth in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League at San Juan gym recently.

Victonara Galang came away with eight kills and three blocks while Angeline Cutiongco added six kills and two blocks to power AUF to the big win and a semis date with University of Perpetual Help-Laguna.

UPHL held off De La Salle-Lipa, 25-20, 26-24, last week to notch the first semis berth in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by LBC, Toby’s Sports, Mikasa, Asics and Metro Sports.

Defending champion Hope Christian High School stayed on track of its title-retention bid as it trounced University of Santo Tomas, 25-13, 25-14.

Carol Cerveza and Desiree Cheng scored five kills each as Hope stamped its class to sweep UST and arrange a semis duel with Colegio San Agustin, which also clobbered University of the East, 25-15, 25-13.

Ingrid Reyes rammed in six kills as the CSA tossers seized control early then sustained their form to bundle out the Junior Lady Warriors from the semis race.

Meanwhile, Pajo National High School thwarted University of San Jose Recoletos, 25-18, 16-25, 25-17, 25-13, to top the Shakey’s GLV-Cebu leg.

The Shakey’s-GVL Davao leg title, on the other hand, will be disputed by Ateneo de Davao University and Davao City High School. The winner will join the champion teams from Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo and Tacloban for the National Championships slated April 4-8 at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City.