La Salle-Lipa zeroes in on Shakey’s LoC semis

MANILA, Philippines - De La Salle-Lipa came away with a pair of hard-earned victories to zero in on the first semifinal berth in Pool B even as fancied National University survived Victoria from Australia in Pool A at the start of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 12 League of Champions at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City late Wednesday.

The DLS-Lipa spikers, winners of the Southern Luzon elims of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports, recovered from a second set defeat to frustrate Central and Eastern Visayas champion University of San Carlos, 25-16, 22-25, 25-19, then came back later to foil Northern and Central Luzon leg titlist Holy Faith Academy, 25-22, 25-22.

The twin wins put DLS-Lipa on top of Pool B and within a win from clinching a spot in the crossover semis of the event which features the seven teams that topped the various regional elims plus foreign teams Victoria and Bangladesh and local guest squad Biñan.

The Laguna-based spikers, who will host Season 13 of the annual event, backed by Mikasa, Asics, Volley Prep, Nature’s Spring, Sun Star, The Freeman Newspaper, Cebu Daily News, Chooga, El Lobo Energy Drink and Millenia Suites, made quite an impression as they dominated the Bangladeshis, 25-4, 25-6, to join NCR winner National U in the Pool A lead.

The Lady Bullpups, however, needed to toughen up to thwart the Aussies, escaping with a close win in the opening set before reasserting their might to complete a 27-25, 25-16 victory.

Western Visayas titlist St. John’s Institute also pulled off a tough 29-27, 25-19 win over Holy Faith Academy to boost its semis drive in Pool A while dampening the bid of the Northern and Luzon champions (HFA), who fell to 0-2.

Action resumed late yesterday with Biñan seeking win No. 2 against a debuting Tagum City National High, the Southern Mindanao champions, NU tipped to get past Bangladesh, and Northern Mindanao winner Iligan City National High School also opening its drive against HFA.

The top two teams from each group after the single round elims will clash in the crossover semis with the winners disputing the crown.