Down to 4 teams: Favored squads make semis of Shakey’s Girls V-League

After several arduous days of intense action, the cream rose to the top and four teams remained in contention for the right to represent the region in the Shakey’s Girls V-League League of Champions next year.

Emerging as top seed in Bracket A was the reigning Central Visayas leg champions University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), which beat the University of San Carlos (USC), 25-13, 25-18, yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.

In Bracket B, taking top billing was the unbeaten Pajo National High School, which emerged unscathed after the gruelling elimination round with a 5-0 (win-loss) record capped by a 25-13, 25-11 victory over the belles of Don Gerardo National High School.

In the second spot was Southwestern University (SWU), who finished the round with a 4-1 mark after getting past St. Theresa’s College (STC), 25-14, 25-17.

SWU’s victory proved to be a crucial one as a loss would have dropped it into a tricky three-way tie with STC and Don Gerardo National High School.

STC bowed out of the competition with a 2-3 mark.

Rona Muriel Dino (7) of St. Theresa’s College meets the solid net defenders of Southwestern University composed of Marianne Marie Calinawan (11) and Junabelle Anne Gempero (10). (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

SEMIS PAIRINGS

This development sets the stage for what is expected to be an explosive semifinal round as Pajo, the former Cebu leg champions, will be facing off against USC, while USJ-R takes on SWU in yet another chapter of their burgeoning rivalry in the high school ranks.

Action starts at 9 a.m. with the winners of these matches advancing to the winner-take-all championship game set at 2:30 p.m. at the same venue.

In the non-bearing matches yesterday, the Mary Help of Christians School turned back the Paref-Southcrest in three sets, 15-25, 27-25, 25-14, while the  University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) turned back the Hijas de Jesus, 25-9, 25-11.