USJ-R, USC make it 2-0; Pajo NHS holds off SWU

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos shared the top spot with the University of San Carlos in pool A, while Pajo National High School took the solo lead in pool B after it stunned host Southwestern University in the Central and Eastern Visayas leg of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 12 yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.

USJ-R coasted to its second straight win at the expense of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 25-20, 25-9, while USC also made it two games in a row after whacking the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in straight sets, 25-15, 25-15.

While USJ-R and USC are likely to advance in tomorrow morning’s semifinal round, a more exciting end in the elimination round is expected in pool B.

That is because three teams in Pajo NHS, Southwestern U and Don Gerardo Ouano Memorial NHS put themselves in a seemingly complicated situations.

This came after Pajo, banking on its excellent floor defense, shocked SWU, 25-13, 18-25, 25-16. SWU though quickly bounced back and vented its ire on PAREF- Southcrest School, 25-4, 25-5.

The SWU belles, however, couldn't heave a sigh of relief though as Don Gerardo Ouano MNHS claimed back-to-back victories yesterday.

DGOMNHS trounced the Minglanilla-based Mary Help of Christian School, 25-11, 25-16, then outlasted Southcrest, 25-8, 25-13.

Pajo NHS now stands with an unblemished 3-0 record, while SWU and DGOMNHS are tied with 3-1 win-loss cards.

SWU, thus, needs to pray that Pajo will win against DGOMNHS as well as hurdle its last assignment against Saint Theresa’s College to march into the crossover semis without any glitch.

For SWU coach Jordan Paca, their game against STC remains a “must-win” for them. STC, last year’s runner-up to USJ-R, still has another game left today opposite Southcrest. (FREEMAN)