University of Santo Tomas and Kings’ Montessori School arranged a semifinal duel in the girls’ division after trashing their respective foes in the 2024 Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Under-18 Championship on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
After topping Pool A, both squads continued their onslaught in the knockout quarterfinals with similar straight-set victories with little to no resistance from their counterparts to barge into the Final Four along with the winners of the remaining two quarterfinal pairings at press time.
UST, which swept Pool A with a 5-0 slate, needed only 74 minutes to eliminate Canossa Academy in an easy 25-13, 25-15, 25-12 win as Kings’ Montessori School, the No. 2 team, trounced San Juan Institute of Technology-Batangas, 25-15, 25-18, 25-12, in 69 minutes.
UST and KMS dispute a finals ticket next week at the same venue.
Favor is on the Junior Golden Tigresses to repeat after a 25-16, 25-23 win over KMS in the group phase, then under a best-of-three format before reverting to the traditional five-set play for the ongoing playoffs.
Pool B leader National University (5-0) against Pool A No. 4 La Salle-Zobel (2-3) and Pool B No. 2 La Salle-Lipa (4-1) against Pool A No. 3 Gracel Christian College (3-2) are the other quarterfinalists in the girls’ division.
The action continues Sunday with the boys’ quarterfinals led by unbeaten teams Angatleta Sports-Orion, Bataan of Pool A, and Umingan, Pangasinan of Pool B.
Orion takes on Pool B No. 4 Taytay, Rizal while Umingan tests the mettle of Pool A No. 4 Philippine Christian University. Pool A second-placer La Salle-Lipa then battles Pool B No. 3 VNS-Savouge as Pool B No. 2 Hermosa, Bataan clashes with Pool A No. 3 Canossa Academy of Lipa.
Like the girls’ play, five-setter matches are to be played in the boys’ quarterfinals until the semis and finals of the first youth tourney of the PNVF headed by President Ramon “Tats” Suzara.