WV spikers reach Shakey’s LoC semis

MANILA, Philippines - Western Visayas pulled through in a tight endgame battle, edging Northern Mindanao, 25-23, 25-20, to clinch the first semifinal berth in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 12 League of Champions at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City late Friday.

Led by the St. John’s Institute spikers, WV outlasted the Iligan City National High side with its power game with Princess Robles firing eight hits to help power the team to another straight set victory.

It was WV’s third win in a row as it nailed the first semis berth in Pool B of the two-division league sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports with Southern Luzon champion De La Salle-Lipa, with two straight wins, tipped to book the other spot in the crossover semis.

NMI fell to 0-3 and bowed out of the semis race in the event backed by Mikasa, Asics, Volley Prep, Nature’s Spring, The Freeman Newspaper, Chooga, El Lobo Energy Drink and Millenia.

Northern and Central Luzon, represented by Holy Faith Academy, subdued Central and Eastern Visayas, 25-20, 25-18, as Diana Mae Carlos unloaded 17 hits as the team finished the single round elims with a 2-2 card, also in Pool B. CEV, composed of University of San Carlos tossers, also absorbed its third straight setback.

National Capital Region, meanwhile, is fancied to lead the Pool A semis cast with two straight wins although the other berth remains a toss-up between Southern Mindanao and Victoria, Australia.

The top two teams from each group after the single round elims will clash in the crossover semis today with the winners disputing the crown later in the day.