NU, UST pace Shakey’s GVL NCR elims

MANILA, Philippines - National U and University of Santo Tomas racked up two victories in straight-set fashions while Adamson pulled off a shock 16-25, 25-19, 25-21 victory over former champion Hope Christian High School in the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League Season 13 NCR leg at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City over the weekend.

The Lady Bullpups thumped Kings’ Montessori School, 25-11, 25-18, in the opener then ripped MGC New Life Christian Academy, 25-14, 25-14, to set the early pace in Pool A of the event backed by Mikasa, MyPhone and Asics.

The Junior Tigresses matched NU’s 2-0 start, nipping Escuela De Sophia of Caloocan, 25-23, 25-23, and routing Academy of God’s Children, 25-14, 25-9, to lead Pool B of the two-division, 10-team event sponsored by Shakey’s for the 13th year and organized by Metro Sports headed by Freddie Infante.

The Lady Baby Falcons, meanwhile, came back strong from an opening set setback then held off the HCS spikers’ fightback in the decider to post the reversal that marred the opener of the week-long qualifier among the top high school girls’ volley squads in the Big City.

Meanwhile, Koi Castillo, marketing manager of Shakey’s, La Salle’s Ara Galang and MyPhone vice president Richie DeQuina made the ceremonial serve kicking off the third of eight regional elims culminating in the national finals.

Escuela De Sophia earlier repulsed AGC, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21; La Salle-Zobel held off MGC, 25-20, 25-17; and KMS bounced back with a 25-22, 25-18 win over University of the East.

The winner will banner the country’s bid in the Shakey’s GVL International Championship which will feature five foreign teams, according to Metro Sports’ and tournament director Johanz Buenvenida.