St. Scho, Hope, AUF stay unbeaten in Shakey's

MANILA, Philippines - St. Scholastica’s College bucked the absence of its skipper as it repulsed UST, 24-26, 25-13, 25-14, to notch its third straight victory in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League at San Juan gym over the weekend.

The St. Scho tossers blew a 24-17 lead in the first set as the España-based squad rallied behind hitter Aliyah Ong and setter Princess Gaiser, who unloaded eight service aces. But SSC put its act together in the next two sets and stamped its class to clinch the victory.

St. Scho actually strung up two wins in the day as it also subdued La Salle College Antipolo, 25-16, 25-9, to move within a victory from sweeping Pool B of the four-division league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Asics, LBC, Toby’s Sports and Mikasa.

Angeles University Foundation matched St. Scho’s 3-0 card as it turned backed MGC New Life Academy, 25-23, 25-12, to lead the way in Pool C while defending champion Hope Christian High School trounced Imus Institute, 25-20, 25-12, for its second straight win in Pool A of the tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Volleyball Federation.

Hope Christian’s Desiree Cheng and Carol Cerveza, along with siblings Camille and Cienne Cruz, pooled 21 points with Cheng and Cerveza unleashing five and four kills, respectively, to power the team to victory.

UP Integrated School evened its slate to 1-1 as it dealt La Salle College-Antipolo its second straight loss in the day, 25-9, 18-25, 25-21, in Pool B while St. James Parañaque likewise posted a 1-1 mark after downing De La Salle-Canlubang 27-25, 25-16, in Pool A action.

De La Salle-Lipa, drawing a combined 23-point output from Hannah Mangulabnan, Audrey Paran, Arienne Ilustre and Kim de la Vega, held off University of Perpetual Help-Molino, 25-20, 25-15, to surge ahead at 2-0 in Pool D.

Cavite-based Unida Christian College prevailed over Elizabeth Seton School, 25-21, 26-24, for a 1-1 card, also in Pool D, while Grace Christian School survived La Salle College-Antipolo, 29-27, 25-13, for a 1-1 mark in Pool B.