Hope Christian, AGC tossers earn semifinal berths

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School (HCS) toppled De La Salle-Lipa (DLL), 25-14, 25-17, to book the first semifinal seat in girls’ Pool A while Academy of God’s Children (AGC) likewise advanced with a 25-17, 25-8 win over Xavier School (XAS) in the Toby’s Junior Volleyball League at the Toby’s Arena in Pasig last weekend.

The HCS spikers outplayed the defending champions in the first set then sustained their form to frustrate the Lipa-based squad and stretch their win-run to four to reach the semis. HCS goes for a sweep of the elims against winless De La Salle-Canlubang on Jan. 21.

AGC, on the other hand, proved too much of the Xavier spikers as it rolled to its fifth straight win in boys’ Pool B of the event sponsored by Toby’s Sports and organized by Metro Sports.

DLL also fashioned out a 25-8, 25-11 over XAS to zero in one the other semis berth in boys’ Pool B with a 4-0 slate. Rafael Palma Elem. School (RPS) and Elizabeth Seton School (ESS) remain in the hunt with 3-2 and 2-2 cards, respectively.

In boys’ Pool A, Concepcion Elem. School (CES) and Palanan Elem. School (PES) hacked out contrasting wins to remain tied at the helm at 4-0. CES struggled past St. James College (SJP), 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, while PES swept St. Jerome Emiliani Institute (SJE), 25-15, 25-12.

In other results, De La Salle-Zobel (DLZ) held off Makati Hope Christian School (MHC), 25-23, 25-19, for its third straight win to lead girls’ Pool B while De La Salle-Lipa B (DLB) defeated ESS, 26-24, 25-16, to tie its victim at 1-2.

Colegio San Agustin (CSA) is in second with a 2-0 mark.

In boys’ Pool A, SJE repulsed CSA in a thrilling contest, 19-25, 32-30, 27-25, to improve to 4-2, while St. Joseph College (SJC) won by default over Project 6 Elem. School (PSS) for a 1-3 mark.

In boys’ Pool B, RPS trounced Lourdes School (LSQ), 25-10, 25-15, for a 3-2 slate while LSQ earlier survived Harrel Horne IS (HHS), 25-17, 26-24, for a 1-3 card.