Hope tossers keep Shakey's girls title

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School pulled off a big come-from-behind victory in the first set then stamped its class in the next two to sweep Angeles University Foundation, 28-26, 25-20, 25-21, and retain the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League crown at the San Juan gym last Sunday.

Carol Cerveza capped Hope’s fiery 7-2 fightback in the opening frame with a hit, turning a 21-24 deficit into a victory then the team played true to the form in the next two sets to complete the victory.

It was Hope CHS’s sixth Shakey’s title in the Metro Manila-Luzon finals, keeping the crown it won over University of Santo Tomas in last year’s regional finals of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by LBC, Toby’s Sports, Mikasa and Asics.

Hope and AUF will join the other top regional winners from Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Bacolod in the Shakey’s Tournament of Champions slated April 4-8 in Bacolod City.

University of St. La Salle ruled last year’s T-of-C sanctioned by the Philippine Volleyball Federation and organized by Metro Sports.

Cerveza, whose services is being eyed by a lot of UAAP schools, bagged the tournament MVP and Best Blocker honors while teammate Camille Cruz won the Best Server award. Other winners were Arianna de Leon of University of Perpetual Help-Laguna (Best Receiver), Victonara Galang of AUF (Best Spiker), Ingrid Reyes of Colegio de San Agustin (Best Digger) and Jannelle Cheng of Hope (Best Setter).

Jerry Yee was named once more as the league’s Best Coach.

In the semis, Hope subdued CSA, 25-16, 25-12, while AUF outlasted UPHL, 25-13, 25-17. CSA took the third place honors with a 25-15, 25-19 decision over UPHL.