Cebu - Defending champion University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) completed a five-game elimination round sweep to ease through the semifinals as Bracket A topseed in the Cebu swing of the 4th Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League at the USPF gym.
The USPF belles of coach Jordan Paca kept their unbeaten record intact with a convincing 25-8, 25-22 victory over St. Theresa’s College behind the stellar showing of Jessah Nacorda, Jinky Garidos, Dianne Navaja, Kaisse de los Santos and the Gabriel sisters, Rexamy and Louise on all facets of the game.
USPF is joined into the penultimate round by the second-ranked Don Gerardo Ouano Memorial National High School.
In Bracket B, Abellana National School took the last semifinal ride with a 25-21, 25-22 drubbing of the gritty Liloan National High School.
ANS settled for the second spot in Bracket B with a 3-1 win-loss record behind the pace-setting Pajo National High School, which is unscathed in four games.
In next week's crossover semis, USPF goes up against ANS, while Pajo takes on DGNHS.
“We will keep our fingers crossed, with higher hopes that the girls will be full-powered in terms of their skills and be filled with good fighting spirit in the semis against ANS. We are hoping that we could still get this year’s title,” said Paca.
“And with the performances that the girls have shown, I give my full trust to them that they will really do their very best to retain their title and once again represent Cebu in the national finals," added Paca.
The Cebu leg of the Shakey's tilt is supported by Philippine Sports Commission, Dunkin' Donuts, Petron, Toby’s and Nature's Spring. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)