New Zealand bag third place in Shakey’s volley

CEBU, Philippines - New Zealand recovered from a shaky start to prevail over Western Visayas, 18-25, 26-24, 25-16, and capture third place honors in the Shakey's Girls' Volleyball League season 11 Tournament of Champions at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday.

WVI, represented by Central Philippine U Iloilo, jumped the gun on the Kiwis and seemed to be on their way to a cruise but the guest team fought back, using on its height advantage to turn the tables around and snatch the win.

New Zealand scored 11 points off the block and its towering presence in the net held WVI to just seven kills in the third set.

Analise Vukets posted nine spikes and one block while Kelcy Ballantyne came through with seven kills, two service aces and one block as they powered New Zealand to victory at the close of the five-day event sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports.

Bianca Lizares and Princess Robles paced WVI with nine points apiece.

Fancied National Capital Region was defending its title against Central Visayas at presstime.

Hope Christian High-bannered NCR advanced to the gold medal match via a 25-19, 25-7 disposal of New Zealand in the morning's semifinals of the tournament backed by by Mikasa, Asics, Tune Hotel, Burlington, BioFresh, Food Health, YSA Botanica and Science Magazine.

CVI, bannered by the gritty University of San Jose-Recoletos spikers, edged WVI in another three-setter, 25-12, 20-25, 25-17, in the other Final Four match.

NCR swept the Pool A elims by beating Western Visayas, 25-5, 25-21, while Central Visayas, making the battle for the crown a duel of the top teams in the event which gathers the eight regional champions and two foreign squads, the other being the Victoria team from Australia. (FREEMAN)