California Exciting action between California and NU-Nazareth School.

California, Naga arrange title duel in Shakey’s volleyball

May 27, 2023 Robert Andaya 902 views

CALIFORNIA Academy and Naga College Foundation will dispute the championship in the 2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) at the San Andres gym in Malate, Manila.

California brought down top favorite National University-Nazareth School, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 27-25, while Naga College pulled the rug from under Bacolod Tay Tung High School, 11-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, in a pair of come-from-behind upset victoried in the semifinals.

With their victories, California and Nsga College booked a ticket to winner-take-all finals on Saturday.

The 1-2 punch of Casiey Dongalo and Jelaica Faye Gajero led California with 27 and 24 points, respectively.

Jenalyn Umayan and Kizzie Madriaga also stepped up with 10 points for the Antipolo-based team, which completed an upset of the reigning 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 California scored three straight wins against the Lady Bullpups highlighted by a stellar comeback in the fourth set from a 21-24 deficit.

“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.

Meanwhile, Arah Ellah Panique unleashed 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 to power Naga to victory after dropping the first set, 11-25.

“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 the losing effort for 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.

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)

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