California, Naga in Shakey’s volleyball final

By Robert Andaya

Games Saturday:
2 p.m. – NU-NS vs Bacolod Tay Tung High School (bronze medal match)
4 p.m. – California Academy vs Naga College Foundation (finals)

It will be California Academy  versus Naga College Foundation in the final of the  2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) at the San Andres gym in Malate, Manila.

It will be underdog versus underdog

California stunned  National University-Nazareth School, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 27-25, while Naga  College toppled Bacolod Tay Tung High School, 11-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, to book a ticket to the winner-take-all finals on Saturday, June 3.

The victories did not come easy, however.

California scored three straight wins against the Lady Bullpups highlighted by a stellar comeback in the fourth set from a 21-24 deficit.

California relied on Casiey Dongalo and Jelaica Faye Gajero, who.finished with   27 and 24 points, respectively, 

Jenalyn Umayan and Kizzie Madriaga  also did their part with 10 points for  the Antipolo-based team, which completed an upset of the reigning UAAP  junior champion..

“It’s a big win for us. It’s a close match and could have been anybody’s game but the girls stayed calm and in control,” said coach Obet Vital after 

“This Shakey’s GVIL features the best of the best of the Philippines so we’re happy that we’re able to beat the best of UAAP. We’re very proud of that.”

Bienne Louise Bansil led the NU-Nazareth  with 20 points and Yesha  Noceja had 19 points.

Equslly impressive was Naga College

Arah  Ellah  Panique finished with  27 points as Naga overcame  a slow start to bring down Bacolod Tay Tung High School and advance to the finals of the 16-team tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri and R&B Tea with the City of Manila as government partner.

Sheena Vanessa Sarie had 15 points and Nathasza Kaye Bombita added 12 points for Naga.

“Naka-tsamba na naman. Naunahan kami pero hindi bumigay. Hanggang sa huli, laban talaga. Napakahirap. Puhunan namin dito ‘yung tapang. Sabi ko lang sa kanila, ‘wag bibitaw’. Nung nakatabla na kami, bakit ngayon pa kayo bibitaw. Swerte na pumabor sa amin,” said Naga coach Parley Tupaz.

Alexia Marie Montoro paced Bacolod with 22 points and Dona Mae De Leon added 11 points.

All games of Shakey’s GVIL, in partnership with Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc., (ACES), will be broadcasted live and on-demand through all social media platforms courtesy of Plus Network with CNN Philippines, Solar Sports and Tap Sports as TV partners.