Hope tops Perpetual-LB in Shakey's volley opener

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School swept University of Perpetual Help-Laguna, 25-14, 25-19, to open its title-retention drive in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League at the San Juan gym over the weekend.

Three other teams hurdled their respective opening day assignments, including Angeles City University, which stunned UAAP junior champion De La Salle-Zobel in three sets.

Siblings Ciene and Camille Cruz combined with Carol Cerveza and Desiree Cheng as they pooled 24 points, including 11 kills, to power the Hope C-HS tossers past the UPH-L side in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by LBC, Toby’s Sports, Mikasa and Accel.

Shakey’s EVP Vic Gregorio, San Juan City Vice Mayor Francis Zamora, Freddie Infante, president of the organizing Metro Sports, and Gener Dungo, president of the Philippine Volleyball Federation, graced the opener of the eighth season of the event featuring the country’s leading and rising junior volley players.

“The PVF is pleased to see how Shakey’s and Metro Sports have contributed to the development of volleyball in the country and we are grateful to have as PVF partners,” said Dungo.

AUF fought back from an opening set setback as it dominated DLS-Zobel in the next two sets to fashion out a 20-25, 25-12, 25-13 victory to join Hope C-HS in the early lead.

St. Scholastica also stamped its class over University of the Phils. Integrated School, essaying a 25-17, 25-14 romp while De La Salle-Lipa posted a 25-13, 25-17 victory over University of the East in the other matches kicking off the weekend-only tournament sanctioned by the PVF and which drew 20 teams from the major leagues in Metro Manila and Luzon.

The other schools seeing action are St. James-Parañaque, Angelicum, Imus Institute, La Salle-Antipolo, Univ. of Perpetual Help-Molino, colegio San Agustin, MGC New Life Academy, Elizabeth Seton School, Grace Christian College, Univ. of Santo Tomas, Unida Christian School and De La Salle-Canlubang.