Hope Christian reaches Shakey’s volley semis

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School cruised to a 25-15, 25-8 victory over MGC New Life Christian Academy to clinch the first semifinal berth in Pool A in the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League NCR leg at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum over the weekend.

Desiree Cheng, Bel Molde and Chester Ong again led the charge for the Hope spikers, who strolled to their third straight win, matching College of San Agustin’s solid start of 3-0 in Pool B of the 10-team tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

Miriam College outplayed Academy of God’s Children, 25-7, 25-12, to zero in on the other Pool A semis slot with a 2-1 card in a tie with Gen. Pio del Pilar National HS with one playdate left in the single round elims of the event sponsored by Toby’s Sports, Mikasa as official ball, Tune Hotels as official residence of the Tournament of Champions, Asics and Volley Prep.

King’s Montessori School likewise stayed in the hunt in Pool B, beating St. James Academy-Malabon, 25-7, 25-14, to tie Angelicum College at 2-1. Angelicum also dominated Pasay City West HS, 25-16, 25-8.

The crossover semis will be played Sunday with the winners clashing for the crown and the lone berth in the Tournament of Champions, featuring the other winners of the various regional legs, set Jan. 22-26, 2013.

Meanwhile, De La Salle-Lipa swept Holy Rosary College, 25-22, 25-11, 25-19, to top the Southern Luzon while Central Philippine University copped the Western Visayas leg crown over St. John’s Institute to clinch berths in the T-of-C.

Spicing up the T-of-C is the participation of Australia’s Victoria High School team, according to tournament director Johanz Buenvenida.