Hope, La Salle spikers clash today

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School (HCS) and De La Salle-Lipa square off today in a duel of unbeaten teams in girls Pool A as action in the Toby’s Junior Volleyball League resumes at the Toby’s Arena in Pasig.

The HCS spikers swept their first three games while the defending champion Lipa-based squad won its first two games, making the 10 a.m. encounter a virtual clash for the first semifinal berth in their side of the tournament sponsored by Toby’s Sports and organized by Metro Sports.

“We are up against a very strong team but the girls are ready and we will give our best to win,” said DLL coach Imee Africa whose wards swept the crown last year.

In boys’ play, St. Jerome Emiliani Institute and Colegio San Agustin square off in Pool A, each needing a victory to stay in the hunt for a semis seat. SJE totes a 3-1 card while CSA has a 2-1 slate behind the pacesetting duo of Concepcion Elem. School and Palanan Elem. School, which share the lead with 3-0 cards.

DLL, meanwhile, goes for its fourth straight victory for a share of the lead with Academy of God’s Children as it battles a struggling Xavier School side (1-2) in boys’ Pool B.

Other matches pit La Salle-Lipa B (0-2) against Elizabeth Seton School ((0-1) in girls’ Pool B and Lourdes School (0-2) against Harrel Horne IS (0-4) in boys’ Pool B.

On Sunday, De La Salle-Zobel (DLZ) (2-0) tries to zero in on the first semis slot in girls’ Pool B as it takes on Makati Hope Christian School (MHC) (1-1) while AGC (4-0) hopes to nail the first semis berth in boys’ Pool B against XAS (1-2).

In boys’ Pool A, PES and SJE (3-1) clash in a crucial match and CES collides with St. James College (SJP) (1-3) while Rafael Palma Elem. School (RPS) (2-2) mixes it up with winless LSQ in Pool B.