MANILA, Philippines - La Salle-A fought back from a tough third set defeat and pounded out a 25-22, 25-21, 24-26, 25-20 decision over Holy Rosary College to rule the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League Season 12 Southern Luzon leg at the De La Salle Lipa Sentrum in Lipa City, Batangas recently.
Foiled on their sweep bid, the La Salle spikers recalled their fierce form and imposed their will on the net in the fourth frame to frustrate the HRC side and clinch a berth in the League of Champions set next year.
On their way to the finals, La Salle and HRC swept their respective sides in the two-group elims among 10 teams with the former beating Imus Institute, La Salle Lipa-B, Rogationist College and St, Michael’s College of Laguna to gain the top seeding in the semis in Pool A of the event sponsored by Shakey’s.
Not to be outdone, HRC also dominated Perpetual Help-Laguna, St. Jerome Emiliani Institute, San Pedro Relocation Center National HS and Immaculate Conception Academy for the No. 1 spot in Pool B of the tournament backed by Mikasa, Asics, Volley Prep, Nature’s Spring, Sun Star, The Freeman Newspaper, Cebu Daily News, Sun Cellular and Millenia Suites.
In the crossover semis, La Salle sustained its form and eased out Pool B No. 2 Perpetual Help, 25-18, 25-20, while HRC toppled Pool A second placer Imus Institute, 25-14, 25-10, to arrange a showdown for the leg crown and the lone berth in the League of Champions.
But the La Salle bets proved their worth in the finals, pounding the net with authority while coming through with superb reception coupled with solid offensive play.
Perpetual Help subdued Imus Institute, 25-16, 22-25, 27-25, to snare third place honors.
La Salle-A thus joined finalists Iligan City National High School, St. John’s Institute, Tagum City National High School, University of San Carlos and Holy Family Academy in the League of Champions set Jan. 11-16, 2015 at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.
The finals cast, which will include the winner in the ongoing National Capital Region elims, will be spiced up by the participation of foreign teams from Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and the US, according to according to Metro Sports’ Johanz Buenvenida.