Undefeated National University Nazareth School and California Academy breezed through to the quarterfinals with ease after big wins against their respective rivals at the close of the 2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) elimination play on Saturday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
The Lady Bulldogs defeated Grace Christian College Foundation (1-2), 25-21, 25-17, to complete a 3-0 sweep of Group A, while California Academy trounced Arellano U (1-2), 25-11, 25-20, for a similar sweep of Group C.
Both squads topped their respective groups and advanced to the crossover quarterfinals of the 16-team GVIL, supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri, and R&B Tea, with the City of Manila as the government cooperation partner. The quarterfinals will begin on Sunday at the same venue.
Far Eastern University-Diliman, which finished its campaign at 2-1 last week, secured second place behind California Academy in Group C and also qualified for the knockout playoffs.
In Pool D, University of Santo Tomas (2-1) secured the No. 2 seed after a stunning victory over La Salle Zobel (1-2), 25-19, 25-20, in a clash between UAAP powerhouse squads.
Kianne Olango and Yesha Noceja teamed up with eight points each to lead the Lady Bulldogs, with Bienne Louise Bansil adding seven. Robielle Angela Silla and Celine Marsh contributed six points apiece in their well-balanced attack.
“Marami pa po kaming kulang. Hindi po namin best game iyon. Gagawin po namin lahat para maipakita pa lahat ng kaya namin,” said Olango.
Casiey Dongallo, on the other hand, shone with 24 points to anchor California Academy, which is gearing up for tougher challenges in the GVIL, also powered by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Toby’s Sports, Genius Sports, and SM Tickets.
“We have to work more in the quarterfinals. Kung ano po ‘yung ipinakita namin ngayon, we can show more,” she said.
In the fourth game, La Salle Lipa (2-1) secured the second spot in Pool A with a 25-7, 25-18 victory over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, also earning a spot in the quarterfinals with Vida Caringal contributing six points.
Later, Bacolod Tay Tung High School (3-0) and Naga College Foundation (3-0) also swept Pools B and D, respectively, while Adamson (2-1) secured the second seed in Pool B to complete the quarterfinal lineup.
Tay Tung dominated Kings’ Montessori School (1-2), 25-16, 25-18, with Alexa Marie Montoro scoring 18 points, while Naga relied on Sheena Sarie’s 13 points to defeat Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy (0-3), 25-13, 25-14.
All games of the Shakey’s GVIL, in partnership with Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES), will be broadcasted live and available on demand through all social media platforms, courtesy of Plus Network, with CNN Philippines, Solar Sports, and Tap Sports serving as TV partners.
