Naga College Foundation stunned University of Santo Tomas, 16-25, 25-14, 25-13, as unheralded squads stamped their mark in the explosive opener of the inaugural Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League on Sunday at the San Andres Gym in Malate, Manila.
The Lady Tigers pulled off a reverse sweep behind Arah Ellah Panique’s 22 points to complete an upset ax on the Junior Tigresses and introduce themselves with a bang in the 16-team GVIL backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri, and R&B Meil Team with the City of Manila as a government cooperation partner.
Panique had 21 hits and a block while Maria Blesila Abitria and Sheena Sarie chipped in with 15 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bicolana spikers in a massive upset of a perennial UAAP contender from a set down.
Naga jumped to 1-0 for an early lead in Pool D ahead of a gigantic duel anew against another UAAP powerhouse, De La Salle-Zobel, next Sunday.
“Nagbunga kung ano ‘yung pinagsanayan namin. Sabi ko lang sa mga bata, hangga’t di pa tapos, wag tayong bibigay. Galing lang tayo ng probinsya pero parehas lang kami sa training at sa tao-tao,” said coach Parley Tupaz. “Napakalaking bagay ito para sa amin lalo na sa probinsya namin, sa Naga, at sa school lalo na’t nandito lahat ng malalakas na high school teams sa Shakey’s.”
Jaila Adrao, with 10 points, served as the only bright spot for the Junior Tigresses in a flat start to their campaign in the GVIL, also supported by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Toby’s Sports, Genius Sports, and SM Tickets.
Later, Shekaina and Shahanna Lleses connived with 11 and 10 points, respectively, as Kings Montessori School from Quezon City also pulled the rug from under NCAA bet Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite in Pool B, 25-10, 25-18.
“Masaya na panalo sa unang salang kasi advanced ang mga teams dito sa Shakey’s. Ang concern namin nung una ay mawala ‘yung takot ng mga bata kontra sa mga mas bigating teams. Buti nakapag-execute kami at maganda ang passing,” said coach Rogelio Getingan.
Angelica Cruz paced Lyceum with seven points.
In the third match, Clarisse Loresco fired 15 points as Far Eastern U-Diliman made short work of St. Clare Caloocan, 25-7, 25-11, for a 1-0 slate in Pool C.
In Pool B, Bacolod Tay Tung High School clipped UAAP juniors runner-up Adamson in straight sets, 29-27, 25-16, to continue the giant-slaying start for regional squads against favored counterparts.
Alexia Marie Montoro and Jothea Marie Ramos teamed up with 13 and 11 points, respectively, for Bacolod, which has produced high-caliber talents now in the collegiate and pro ranks with UAAP super rookie Angel Canino among a few.
“Sa Shakey’s parang equal lahat ng teams. Match lahat, so lahat may chance manalo. Depende na lang sa strategy ng teams,” said coach Ian Macariola.
In the first match of Pool A, Shane Dimaano sizzled with 17 points as La Salle-Lipa bested Grace Christian College Foundation in a back-and-forth duel, 25-17, 9-25, 25-17.
Chloe Belen in the nightcap erupted for 29 points and Samarah Marzan for 26 as La Salle Zobel joined first-game winner Naga on top of Pool D with a gutsy 25-22, 26-28, 25-18 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy.
