UAAP rivals arrange KO semis in Shakey’s Girls volleyball

Adamson during the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League.–Photo from Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League

MANILA, Philippines – Adamson and National University-Nazareth School (NUNS), the finalists of the UAAP Season 86 girls’ volleyball, forged a semifinal grudge match in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) after knocking out separate foes on Wednesday at Adamson Gym.

Samantha Cantada fired nine aces to finish with 15 points as Adamson ousted Lyceum, 25-13, 27-25, 25-20.

“All I thought was to give my best to make this game possible,” said Cantada in Filipino after scoring five attacks and one block. “My mindset every time I commit a mistake is to find a way how to make up for it.”

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Adamson ended NUNS’ dynasty in Season 86 early this year and will collide in a knockout semifinal game on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Paco Arena.

Diza Berayo delivered 18 points built on 13 kills, three blocks, and two aces as NUNS took down Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-6, 25-23, 25-17, to enter the GVIL semis for the second straight year.

“Honestly, we didn’t expect to sweep this game because our line-up wasn’t complete but through our hard work in training, we were able to do it,” said NUNS coach Norman Miguel as they 11 aces and took advantage of FEU-Diliman’s 17 errors. “The game plan will start on the service, and then the rest will follow. It was effective for us.”

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Celine Marsh chipped in 14 points, 11 coming from kills for NUNS. Robielle Silla added 10 points to beat FEU, which only had one player in double figures in Lovely Lopez’s 10 points.

Meanwhile, Bacolod Tay Tung and Kings’ Montessori School clash in the other semis game at 2 p.m.

Kings’ Montessori School swept Bethel Academy College, 25-17, 25-23, 25-17, with Shahanna and Shekaina Lleses tallying 18 and 11 points, respectively.

Bacoloy Tay Tung, last year’s bronze medalist, banked on Ana Hermosura’s 14 points for its fourth straight win after beating Arellano University, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20.