MANILA, Philippines - De La Salle-Lipa pulled off a pair of straight-set victories over separate rivals to barge into the finals of the boys and girls’ divisions of the Toby’s Sports Junior Volleyball League at the Lyceum gym over the weekend.
Joshua Diaz unleashed a 10-kill performance, powering DLS-Lipa past Makati-based Palanan Elementary School, 29-9, 25-20, to arrange a showdown for the boys’ crown with Concepcion Elem. School.
Palanan, behind Charles Aureo’s and Ariel Zamora’s solid net defense, kept the game close in the second set but just couldn’t neutralize DLS-Lipa’s power in the end and bowed out of the title race.
The CES spikers, who swept the elims like the Lipa-based squad, subdued Elizabeth Seton School, 25-15, 25-20, to clinch the other finals seat in the boys’ side of the event sponsored by Toby’s Sports and backed by Shakey’s, LBC, Mikasa, Asics and Metro Sports.
John Madrigalejos and Ruvince Abrot combined for 18 points, including seven kills, as they dismantled Robbie Tan’s net defense to deliver the victory for CES, which disputes the crown with DLS-Lipa on Friday in a best-of-five set finale, also at the Lyceum gym.
In girls play, DLS-Lipa draw a 14-point output, spiked by five kills, from Audrey Paray as it held off MGC-New Life Academy, 25-21, 25-16, to keep its title retention bid alive.
Colegio San Agustin, with last season’s MVP Samantha Torres firing five kills and finishing with 20 points, dominated F. Benitez Elementary School, 25-12, 25-14, to set up a title clash with DLS-Lipa.