The University of San Carlos (USC) volleybelles continued to sputter as they lost their second game in a row following a straights sets defeat at the hands of Western Visayas powerhouse St. John’s Institute (SJI) in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 12 League of Champions last Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Already down on their luck following their tournament-opening match loss against De La Salle-Lipa, the Eastern and Central Visayas rulers narrowly lost the first set, 23-25, before ultimately crumbling in the second, 8-25, to lose for the second time in as many games and kiss their chances for the next round goodbye in Pool B.
At 2-0 (win-loss), SJI is now tied with De La Salle-Lipa for the lead in their group.
In Pool A, National Capital Region representatives National University (NU) closed in on a semifinal berth with a 25-9, 25-9 beating of Bangladesh, a fantastic follow-up to its 27-25, 25-16 victory over another international squad, Victoria, the other day.
Elaine Cloza fired 14 hits in NU’s win over Bangladesh.
Southern Mindanao’s Tagum City National High, with Lycha Ebon shooting 14 hits, blasted guest team Biñan, 25-20, 25-13, to open its bid in Pool A while Victoria bounced back from its loss to NU with a tough 28-26, 25-22 win over Binan.
Northern and Central Luzon’s Holy Faith Academy also struck back from back-to-back setbacks as Rafaelle Clarissa del Rosario scored eight points to down Northern Mindanao’s Iligan City National High, 25-16, 25-21, and likewise stay in the semis hunt in Pool B.
The top two teams from each group after the single round robin will clash in the crossover semis.