Hope spikers seek Shakey’s semis seat

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Hope Christian High School goes up against MGC New Life Christian Academy today, looking for its third straight win and the first semifinal berth in Pool A in the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League NCR leg at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Hope Christian tossers got past Miriam College and Academy of God’s Children in their first two outings and are heavily favored against the MGC squad in their 2 p.m. encounter in the penultimate playdate of the single round elims of the 10th staging of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

But the MGC spikers are also out to spring a surprise as they try to fuel their own semis drive after splitting their first two games to tie Miriam College, which also resumes its campaign against AGC at 3 p.m.

Angelicum College clashes with Pasay City West High School in the 4 p.m. main game in Pool B with the winner getting the inside track for the other semis seat in the event sponsored by Toby’s Sports, Mikasa as official ball, Tune Hotels as official residence of the Tournament of Champions, Asics and Volley Prep.

Angelicum and PCW tote identical 1-1 cards, behind first semifinalist College of San Agustin, which swept its first three matches to advance.

King’s Montessori School and St. James Academy-Malabon tangle in the 1 p.m. opener.

The elims end tomorrow with the top two teams from each group advancing to the crossover semis set at 10 a.m. on Dec. 16.

The winners will clash for the crown in the afternoon with the champion clinching a berth in the Tournament of Champions set Jan. 22-26, 2013.

The T-of-C cast will also feature top teams in various regional legs, including Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas and Mindanao.

Spicing up the T-of-C is the participation of Australia’s Victoria High School team, according to tournament director Johanz Buenvenida.