Naga College Foundation stunned University of Santo Tomas, 16-25, 25-14, 25-13, as unheralded squads stamped their marks in the explosive opener of the inaugural Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Sunday at the San Andres Gym in Malate, Manila.
The Lady Tigers pulled off a reverse sweep behind Arah Ellah Panique’s 22 points to complete an upset ax on the Junior Tigresses and introduce themselves with a bang in the 16-team GVIL backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri and R&B Meil Team with the City of Manila as government cooperation partner.
Panique had 21 hits and a block while Maria Blesila Abitria and Sheena Sarie chipped in 15 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bicolana spikers in a massive upset of perennial UAAP contender from a set down.
Naga jumped to 1-0 for an early lead in Pool D ahead of a gigantic duel anew against another UAAP powerhouse in La Salle Zobel next Sunday.
“Nagbunga kung ano ‘yung pinagsanayan namin. Sabi ko lang sa mga bata, hangga’t di pa tapos, wag tayong bibigay. Galing lang tayo ng probinsya pero parehas lang kami sa training at sa tao-tao,” said coach Parley Tupaz.
“Napakalaking bagay ito para sa amin lalo na sa probinsya namin, sa Naga, at sa school lalo at nandito lahat ng malalakas na high school teams sa Shakey’s.”
Jaila Adrao, with 10 points, served as the only bright spot for the Junior Tigresses in a flat start to their campaign in the GVIL, also supported by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Toby’s Sports, Genius Sports and SM Tickets.
Later, Shekaina and Shahanna Lleses connived with 11 and 10 points, respectively, as Kings Montessori School from Quezon City also pulled the rug from under NCAA bet Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite in Pool B, 25-10, 25-18
“Masaya na panalo sa unang salang kasi advanced ang mga teams dito sa Shakey’s. Concern namin nung una na mawala ‘yung takot ng mga bata kontra sa mga mas bigating teams. Buti nakapag-execute kami at maganda ang passing,” said coach Rogelio Getingan.
Angelica Cruz paced Lyceum with seven points.
In the third match, Clarisse Loresco fired 15 points as Far Eastern U-Diliman made short work of St. Clare Caloocan, 25-7, 25-11, for a 1-0 slate in Pool C.
All GVIL games are accessible live and on-demand through Plus Network on all of its social media platforms as well as on the pages of Shakey’s Philippines and Shakey’s Super League (SSL) with CNN Philippines, Solar Sports and Tap Sports as TV partners.
Games on Saturday (San Andres Gym)
9 a.m. – UPHDS vs NUNS
10:30 a.m. – EAC vs UST
12 p.m. – BTT vs LPUC
2 p.m. – KMS vs ADU
3:30 p.m. – SCC vs CAL
5 p.m. – AU vs FEU
