Army reaches volley semis

MANILA, Philippines - Defending women’s champion Army earned the top spot in the semifinals after outplaying De La Salle University, 22-25, 25-13, 25-23, 29-31, 15-11, yesterday in the National Volleyball Open at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Mary Jean Balse and Rachel Ann Daquis banked on their experience to give Army the top slot in the crossover semis of the tournament supported by Mikasa, Philippine Sports Commission, Earist and Rizal Technological University (RTU).

Balse bombarded La Salle’s net defense with 19 kills, while Daquis hit 14 kills as the Army finished the elimination round with a 4-1 slate in the event organized by the Philippine Volleyball Federation and chaired by PVF vice-president Gener Dungo.

They face Air Force in the next phase.

ArDespite the loss, De La Salle University is already assured of a slot in the semifinals after placing third with a 3-2 slate. The Lady Green Spikers will battle No. 2 seed Philippine Navy, which ended also at 4-1.

RTU (1-4) whipped winless University of the East (0-5), 25-19, 25-20, 27-25, in a no-bearing contest for first win after five games.

In the men’s side, defending champion Philippine Air Force stayed unbeaten in four games in bracket B after beating Far Eastern University (FEU), 25-23, 25-15, 25-20, to meet fourth seed Philippine Army in the crossover semifinal stage.

The Army, unbeaten in bracket A at 3-0, defeated Yellow Brick Road (YBR), 25-23, 25-14, 23-25, 25-18. FEU (2-1) meets YBR (2-2) in the other semifinal duel.