UPH-Laguna ousts DLS-Lipa, gains Shakey's semis

MANILA, Philippines –  University of Perpetual Help-Laguna pulled off a thrilling 25-20, 26-24 victory over De La Salle-Lipa to gain the first semifinal berth in the eighth Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League at the San Juan gym last week.

The UPH-Laguna spikers worked on their defense behind Paola de Guzman and twins Charina and Ariana de Leon to neutralize DLS-Lipa’s attacking game, winning seven of the last eight points in the second set to erase a 19-23 deficit and complete the straight-set victory.

UPH-Laguna will face the winner of the Angeles University Foundation-St. Scholastica’s College match on March 20 for a spot in the finals of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by LBC, Toby’s Sports, Mikasa, Asics and Metro Sports.

Meanwhile, defending champion Hop e Christian High School clashes with University of Santo Tomas in an expected down-to-the-wire quarters showdow at 9 a.m. today.

Colegio San Agustin and University of the East dispute the other semifinal berth at 10 a.m. Meanwhile, Pajo National High School beat University of San Jose Recoletos, 25-18, 16-25, 25-17, 25-13, to capture the Shakey’s GLV-Cebu leg. University of Southern Philippines Foundation survived Catmon National School, 25-23, 26-24, 25-18, to clinch third place honors.

The Shakey’s-GVL Davao leg title, on the other hand, will be disputed by Ateneo de Davao University and Davao City High School. The winner will join the champion teams from Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo and Tacloban for the National Championships slated April 4-8 at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City.