Volleyball: NU-Nazareth advances to GVIL quarterfinals

MANILA (UPDATED) — Undefeated National U-Nazareth School and California Academy marched to the quarterfinals with ease after big wins against their respective rivals at the conclusion of the 2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) elimination play, Saturday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.

The Lady Bulldogs bested Gracel Christian College Foundation (1-2), 25-21, 25-17, to complete a 3-0 wipeout of Group A, while California Academy trounced Arellano U (1-2), 25-11, 25-20, for a similar sweep of Group C.

Both squads thus topped their respective groups en route to the crossover quarterfinals of the 16-team GVIL, starting Sunday at the same venue.

Far Eastern U-Diliman, which ended its campaign at 2-1 as early as last week, finished second behind California Academy in Group C to also qualify in the knockout playoffs.

In Pool D, the University of Santo Tomas (2-1) booked its own ticket as the No. 2 seed after a stunning win over La Salle Zobel (1-2), 25-19, 25-20, in the battle of UAAP powerhouse squads.

Kianne Louie Olango and Yesha Noceja scored eight points each to spearhead the Lady Bulldogs with Bienne Louise Bansil adding seven. Robielle Angela Silla and Celine Marsh threw in six points apiece in their 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 Kianne Louise Olango.

Casiey Monique Dongallo, for her part, sizzled with 24 points to anchor California Academy.

“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) clinched the second spot in Pool A with a 25-7, 25-18 win, over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta to also advance to the quarterfinals behind the six points of Vida Caringal.

Later, Bacolod Tay Tung High School (3-0) and Naga College Foundation (3-0) also swept Pools B and D, respectively, with Adamson (2-1) securing the second seed in Pool B to complete the quarterfinal cast.

Bacolod smothered Kings’ Montessori School (1-2), 25-16, 25-18, on Alexa Marie Montoro’s 18 points as Naga leaned on Sheena Sarie’s 13 points to clip Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy (0-3), 25-13, 25-14.