USLS-Bacolod claims Shakey's crown

MANILA, Philippines - University of St. La Salle-Bacolod pounced on Hope Christian High School’s two miscues at endgame, pulling off a thrilling 22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 24-26, 16-14 victory to reclaim the Shakey’s Girls Volley crown in Tacloban, Leyte last week.

The La Salle spikers bounced back strong from an opening set setback as they took the next two sets only to falter in the fourth, enabling the last year’s champions to force the decider.

But USLS-Bacolod poured it all in the fifth frame, racing to a 9-3 lead but sputtered in the face of the HCS tossers’ mighty comeback.

Hope, which bagged the National Capital Region leg crown, forced a tie twice, the last at 14 but made two unforced errors to yield the match and the crown to the 2007 champions.

Joy Gallenero and Bea Tan starred for USLS-Bacolod in the middle sets as they combined for 18 kills while Hope CS drew big games from Denden Tan and Camille Cruz, who pooled 22 points to force the fifth set.

Gallinero went on to finish with 37 points and capture the coveted MVP plum in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Toby’s Sports, Dunkin’ Donuts, Mikasa and Asics. Tan had 17 hits while Jane Borrero tossed in 11 points for USLS.

“This was a difficult victory. The game was close all the way but my girls gave all their best,” said USLS-Bacolod coach Malot Lozada. 

University of Southern Philippines-Cebu held off Iloilo’s Central Philippines University, 25-23, 27-25, to place third.

University of Santo Tomas, which finished runner-up to Hope in the NCR tilt, won only two of their six matches as it played without an injured star player Kim Fajardo.

The other awardees in the T-of-C were Jane Borrero of USLS (Best Server), Rica Enclona of Hope (Best Receiver), Gizelle Tan of USLS (Best Setter), Carol Cerveza of Hope (Best Blocker), Alyssa Valdez of UST (Best Attacker), Patricia Rasmo of USLS (Best Libero), and Lozada of USLS (Best Coach).