Davao repulses Ateneo, tops Shakey's volley leg

MANILA, Philippines - Davao City National High School (DCNHS) fought back from two sets down to sweep the next three as it shocked Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), 23-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-19, 15-9, to rule the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Davao leg at the Ladislawa Garden Village gym in Davao City last Sunday.

It was a stunning victory for the DCNHS spikers, who appeared to have lost their poise after dropping a cliffhanger in the opener and losing by a rout in the second set.

But they rebounded strong in the third and fourth then kept their momentum in the decider to pull off the remarkable victory and clinch a berth in the Tournament of Champions, sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Metro Sports.

DCNHS thus joined early regional leg winners Pajo National High School (Central Visayas), De La Salle-Lipa (Southern Luzon) and Baguio National High School (Northern Luzon) in the T-of-C, which Davao will host on March 21-24.

DCNHS swept the elims in Pool A, beating Assumption College of Davao, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School, Holy Cross College of Sasa and University of Immaculate Conception (UIC), while ADDU matched that feat by dominating Maa National High School, Cor Jesu College, Stella Maris Academy of Davao (SMAD) and Tagum City National High School in Pool B.

In the crossover semis, DCNHS repulsed SMAD in three while ADDU also swept UIC to arrange a duel between unbeaten teams in the tournament backed by Toby’s, Mikasa and Asics.

Meanwhile, the Western Visayas-Iloilo leg is set Feb. 18-March 4, the Western Visayas-Bacolod tournament will be held Feb. 19-March 4 while the Eastern Visayas leg will be on Feb. 17-26, respectively.