Twin defeats greet Pajo in Shakey's volleyball

CEBU, Philippines - Pajo National High School of Lapu-Lapu City opened their campaign on a rather gloomy note as they suffered back-to-back defeats in the 4th Shakey’s Volleyball League National Finals in Bacolod City.

The reigning Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) champion put up a gallant stand only to lose in a grueling battle against host University of St. La Salle (USLS) – Bacolod and University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

The USLS-Bacolod belles were made to work extra hard before dispatching the stubborn PNHS wards of Fr. Rolando T. Manayon in four sets, 25-16, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23.

Against UST, PNHS displayed another spirited performance only to fumble in the deciding fifth set.

After UST took the first set, 25-21, PNHS swept the next two frames, 25-17, 25-22, to post a 2-1 lead. Victory was within reach for PNHS when the score stood at 24-all, but UST made back-to-back hits to steal the fourth set, 26-24, and forge a rubbermatch.

In the decider, UST proved to be much steadier on the way to wrap up the match in convincing fashion, 15-8.

PNHS, thus, badly needs a win over Passi National High School of Iloilo City today to keep its flickering semifinal hopes alive.

“Knowing that we were able to fight UST in five sets, we will try our very best to defeat Iloilo in our match tomorrow (today) in order for us to enter the semifinals,” said Fr. Manayon.

The Pajo squad is composed of Shakey’s Regional MVP Methosheena Bate, Athena Sucalit, Catherine Marquez, Mary Jane Cortes, Christy Sucalit, Lovely Marie Murillo, Marjorie Coloscos, Charlita Auza, Grethcel Soltones, Jella Jorquia, Jyrah Gae Aroma, and Suzette Panis. — Marigold P. Lebumfacil    (THE FREEMAN)