Hope, UE gain in Dunkin' volley

Manila, Philippines - Hope Christian School and University of the East came away with straight-set victories to enhance their respective semifinal bids in the first Dunkin’ Big Dunk high school beach volleyball at the UE-Caloocan sand courts recently.

The HCS tossers posted three victories in three days, beating Harrel Horne Integrated School (HHS), 11-7, 11-6, last Sunday then clipped St. James-Malabon (SJM), 11-2, 11-3, and St. James-Parañaque (SJP), 11-8, 11-9, last Tuesday to zero in on the first Final Four berth in Girls A with a 5-0 slate.

De La Salle-Zobel rallied from a set down to repulse SJP, 7-11, 12-10, 11-3, to notch its third straight win, also in the Girls A side of the event sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts and backed by Shakey’s, LBC, Toby’s Sports, Mikasa, Asics, Mighty Sports and Metro Sports.

HHS toted a 3-2 mark while SJM slid to 1-2.

UE, meanwhile, annexed two victories in the day to move up to second at 3-1 in Girls B paced by Elizabeth Seton School (3-0). The hosts held off University of Santo Tomas, 11-8, 11-8, then outplayed Hope Mighty Sports (HMS), 11-5, 11-3. HMS and UST dropped to 2-2.

Grace Christian College (GCC) notched its first victory after four straight losses as it surprised St. James College-Parañaque (SJP), 11-5, 11-7, in another Girls A match.

ICA also dealt SJP an 11-6, 11-4 beating to improve to 2-4.

Makati High School clinched the first semis seat in Boys A with a sweep of the five-team field with the other berth a toss-up between St. James-Malabon and St. James Parañaque. SJM nipped SJP, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, to improve to 2-1 while the latter slid to 2-2.

UE also shows the way in Boys B with a 3-0 card with ESS at 2-2 and St. James Anglers and St. Joseph College tied at 1-2.