NCR gains top Shakey’s seeding, downs CPU side

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion National Capital Region overpowered contender Western Visayas, 25-5, 25-21, to take the top seeding in Pool A of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 11 Tournament of Champions yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Hope Christian High School-bannered NCR swarmed WVI’s Central Philippines University with a load of powerful, well-placed kills and efficient service en route to the rout that completed their sweep of the four-game elims of the event sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports.

The NCR belles emerged as the top semifinal qualifier from Pool A and will face the Pool B number 2, most likely New Zealand (2-1 at presstime), in today’s Final Four in the morning matches.

The finals will be held at 4 p.m.

WVI, which finished with 3-1, settled for No. 2 in Pool A and will meet Pool B topnotcher Central Visayas (4-0), in the other semis encounter of the event backed by Mikasa, Asics, Tune Hotel, Burlington, BioFresh, Food Health, YSA Botanica and Science Magazine.

Justine Dorog punched in seven hits while Caryl Sandoval and Ma. Lina Isabel Molde added six points apiece to power NCR to victory.

With Sandoval, Dorog and Molde doing damage, NCR showed WVI who’s the boss and stormed to 14-3 tear in the first set.

It was total domination in the opener as NCR had 11 attacks against only two for WVI to go with two aces and a block. The Visayans, led by Roma Joy Doromal’s five kills, committed a whopping eight errors to hasten their fall.

NCR raced to a 20-7 lead in the second but WVI unleashed a fierce rally to threaten at 19-22 against the suddenly erratic Metro Manilans.  But NCR wasn’t to be denied and secured the W.

Meanwhile, Mindanao ended its campaign in Pool B on a winning note after disposing of Eastern Visayas in a tightly fought three-set encounter, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23.

The Ateneo de Davao spikers climbed back from a 21-23 deficit in the deciding set and won four straight points to steal the win that gave them an even 2-2 card after the elims. EVI’s Leyte National High School absorbed its third consecutive loss and were winding up its stint against New Zealand at presstime.

In the other game, Central Luzon bet Angeles University Foundation posted its first win in three outings via a hard-earned 25-13, 20-25, 25-20 victory over Northern Luzon rep Baguio City National HS (0-4).