La Salle-Lipa spikers near semis

DE LA SALLE-LIPA notched two  hard-earned victories to zero in on the first semifinal berth in Pool B even as National University survived Victoria from Australia in Pool A at the start of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League Season 12 League of Champions at Ynares Sports Arena late Wednesday.

The DLS-Lipa spikers, winners of the Southern Luzon leg of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports, recovered from a second set defeat to frustrate Central and Eastern Visayas champion University of San Carlos, 25-16, 22-25, 25-19, then came back later to foil Northern and Central Luzon champion Holy Faith Academy, 25-22, 25-22.

The twin wins put DLS-Lipa on top of Pool B and within a win of a crossover semifinal berth of the event which features seven regional leg champions, foreign teams Victoria and Bangladesh and local guest squad Biñan.

The Laguna-based spikers, who will host Season 13 of the annual event, dominated the Bangladeshis, 25-4, 25-6, to join NCR winner National U in the Pool A lead.

The Lady Bullpups thwarted the Aussies, 27-25, 25-16.

Western Visayas titlist St. John’s Institute forged a 29-27, 25-19 win over Holy Faith Academy (0-2).

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.