Shakey's Girls Volleyball USPF, MCCNHS stay unbeaten

CEBU, Philippines - The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School (MCCNHS) kept their unbeaten records intact in the 9th Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.

USPF of coach Thelma Datig trounced the University of Cebu (UC), 25-17, 25-16 behind the powerful attacks of its first stringers Jacquelene Tadatada, Rose Marie Malagar, Dianne Padillo, Stephanie Alquitela, Sheena Abegail Quino and Danielle Panangin.

Prior to that, the Lady Panthers pummeled the University of San Carlos (USC) in straight sets, 25-19, 25-15.

It was a double whammy for the Carolinians as they bowed to MCCNHS in their exciting clash that ended in three sets.

MCCNHS won the first set, 25-23, in come-from-behind fashion behind the efforts of Mary Dominque Pacres, Frances Macasero, Shemae Rubi and Jenny Mae Maglangit. However, the gritty USC bounced back in the second frame, 25-22 win, to forge a rubbermatch.

In the deciding set, USC was ahead by four, 22-18, but the big-hearted MCCNHS belles fired a pair of service aces and capitalized on two attack errors by USC to know the count at 22-all.

The scored was again tied at 23-all, but Mary Dominique Pacres launched two decisive kills to seal the deal for MCCNHS, 25-23.

Inspired by their triumph over USC, the Kent Marsado-mentored MCCNHS went on to dominate Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC)-Main, 27-25, 25-13.

In bracket A, defending champion Pajo National High School clobbered Southwestern University (SWU), 25-15, 25-10.

Gretchel Soltones, Lovely Marie Murillo, Denice Francesca Lim, June Mae Ares and Mariel Gornez contributed to PNHS’ triumph.

In the other matches, UC of coach Dolores Sagay thrashed CIC-Main, 25-19, 25-17, while Don Gerardo Ouano Memorial National High School overpowered Sacred Heart School (SHS)-Hijas de Jesus, 25-16, 25-17.

The champion in the week-long tournament will arepresent Cebu in the Shakey’s G-League National Finals on March 22-24 in Davao City. (FREEMAN)