NCR, Western Visayas seal title clash in Shakey’s GVL

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region and Western Visayas survived a pair of thrilling three-setters against Southern Luzon and Southern Mindanao, respectively, to arrange a showdown for the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 12 League of Champions crown at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

The Big City bets, bannered by the National U spikers, bounced back from a harrowing second set setback with a dominating performance in the decider, scoring a 25-21, 12-25, 25-18, victory to clinch the first slot in the finals of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports.

Western Visayas, led by St. John’s Institute, fought back from a heart-breaking opening set loss with a gritty showing in the next two frames, hacking out a 26-28, 25-22, 25-23 win to gain a first-ever crack at the championship of the league backed by Mikasa, Asics, Volley Prep, Nature’s Spring, Sun Star, The Freeman Newspaper, Cebu Daily News, Chooga, El Lobo Energy Drink and Millenia.

Spearheaded by NCR leg MVP Faith Nisperos, the National U spikers swept the single rounds elims with a 25-13, 25-20 romp over guest team Biñan last Saturday to top Pool A and set a Final Four clash with Pool B runner-up Southern Luzon.

Western Visayas matched NCR’s 4-0 card with a 25-20, 25-19 victory over Southern Luzon’s De La Salle-Lipa in the final day of elims in Pool B to seal a semis duel with Southern Mindanao, represented by Tagum City National High, which finished second to NCR in Pool A.

Southern Mindanao looked poised for a big upset when it outlasted WV to snatch the opening frame in the semis but the St. John’s spikers put their act together to snatch the next two sets and advance to the finals.

Southern Luzon also appeared headed for a big reversal as it pounced on NCR’s listless stint in the second set but the National U side re-asserted its might in the decider to pound out the victory.