DLS-Lipa cops Shakey’s Southern Luzon diadem

MANILA, Philippines - De La Salle-Lipa clipped Holy Rosary College, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16, to annex the Southern Luzon leg crown of the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League in Imus, Cavite recently and secure the last berth in the Tournament of Champions set early next year.

The Lipa spikers hung tough and survived the tough-fighting HRC side in the first two sets then stamped their class in the next to complete the straight-set win and join seven other regional champions in the T-of-C slated Jan. 13-17, 2014 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

University of Perpetual Help Laguna subdued Imus Institute, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, to bag third place honors in the event sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports headed by president Freddie Infante.

DLS-Lipa thus joined the other regional winners in next month’s battle of the champions backed by Mikasa, Asics, Tune Hotel, Burlington, BioFresh, Food Health and Science Magazine.

They include University of San Jose-Recoletos, Central Philippine University, Leyte National High School, Angeles University Foundation, Ateneo de Davao and Baguio City National High School and NCR back-to-back winner Hope Christian College, which ruled their respective elims in recent months.

The eight teams will be joined by two foreign squads from Australia and New Zealand, according to tournament director Johanz Buenvenida of Metro Sports.

“These two teams have the height advantage and experience in international play and are expected to provide a different challenge for our local teams and at the same raise the level of play here,” said Buenvenida.

The league, now on its 11th year, serves as the feeder league to the Shakey’s V-League as part of the world’s leading pizza parlor’s long-term commitment to boost the sport and produce top-class players.