Hope, Baguio spikers gain in Shakey's T-of-C

MANILA, Philippines - Mighty Sports-Hope Christian High School and Baguio City National HS survived a pair of four-setters to join University of St. La Salle and Pajo National HS in the lead at the start of the Shakey’s Volley League Tournament of Champions in Davao City last Wednesday.

The HCS tossers, who beat the National U side to rule the NCR elims last week, recovered from a second set setback and outsteadied Davao City National HS, 25-15, 24-26, 25-17, 26-24, to match Pajo’s victory in Pool B in the two-division tournament which features the eight winners of the various regional legs of the annual event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Metro Sports.

Pajo swept De La Salle-Lipa, 25-19, 25-19, 25-10.

The Baguio-based spikers, on the other hand, turned back New Ormoc City National HS, 25-23, 25-13, 22-25, 25-22, to pace Pool A with University of St. La Salle, which clobbered Holy Family Academy, 25-8, 25-9, 25-11.

The top two teams after the single round elims clash in the crossover semis with the winners disputing the crown in the event backed by Toby’s, Mikasa and Asics.

HCS and Pajo go for the Final Four berths against La Salle-Lipa and Davao HS while USL and Baguio seek to advance against New Ormoc and Holy Family Academy, respectively.