NCR gains top seeding, downs CPU

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National Capital Region ripped Western Visayas, 25-5, 25-21, to grab the No. 1 spot in Pool A of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 11 Tournament of Champions Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Represented by Hope Christian High School, NCR’s demolition of WVI’s Central Philippines University completed a sweep of the elimination round of the event sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports.

The NCR belles will face the Pool B’s second-ranked team, which will most likely be foreign guest squad New Zealand , in Friday’s Final Four.

The winners of the morning semifinals will clash in the finals also today at 4 p.m.

WVI, which finished with 3-1, settled for No. 2 in Pool A. They set up a semifinal clash against Pool B topnotcher Central Visayas (4-0), in the event backed by Mikasa, Asics, Tune Hotel, Burlington, BioFresh, Food Health, YSA Botanica and Science Magazine.

Justine Dorog punched in seven hits while Caryl Sandoval and Ma. Lina Isabel Molde added six points each to power NCR.

NCR used a 14-3 start in the first set to set the tone of the game.

Meanwhile, Mindanao ended its campaign in Pool B on a winning note after disposing of Eastern Visayas, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23.

The Ateneo de Davao spikers climbed back from a 21-23 deficit in the deciding set and won four straight points to steal the win that gave them an even 2-2 card.

Eastern Visayas, represented by Leyte National High School, was playing New Zealand at press time.