Hope Christian, UST continue Shakey’s GVL title bids today

FAVORITES Hope Christian High School and University of Santo Tomas take on separate foes today as they try to boost their respective title bids in the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League Season 12 National Capital Region leg at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The defending champion Hope tossers, who swept their first two games last week, clash with the Kings’ Montessori School side in a key Pool A duel at 3 p.m. while UST battles Angelicum College in Pool B at 4 p.m.

Other matches pit De La Salle-Zobel against Grace Christian College in another Pool A match at 1 p.m. while National University and Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan, Inc. collide in a duel of contenders at 2 p.m. in Pool B.

Ten teams, divided into two groups, are fighting it out for the NCR leg crown in the three-weekend tournament, sponsored by Shakey’s.  The winner will clinch the last berth in the League of Champions set Jan. 11 to 16, also at Ynares gym.

The other League of Champions qualifiers are La Salle-A, Iligan City National High School, St. John’s Institute, Tagum City National High School, University of San Carlos and Holy Family Academy.  All winners of various regional eliminations of the event are backed by Mikasa, Asics, Volley Prep, Nature’s Spring, Sun Star, The Freeman Newspaper, Cebu Daily News, Sun Cellular and Millenia Suites.

The finals cast will include teams from Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and the US, according to Metro Sports’ Johanz Buenvenida.