QUEZON City went through the wringer before beating Imus City, 14-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 15-12, to secure the top ranking in women’s Pool A of the PNVF Champions League at the Philsports Arena.

Judith Abil spearheaded the Lady Vikings once more with 16 points, including two blocks, Sheeka Espinosa chipped in 10 points, while Justine Dorog also scored nine points.

But it was Bern Flora who shone when mattered, scoring four of her nine points in the fifth set to take charge for Quezon City, as Abil and Dorog were checked in the decider.

Perfect in three matches, the Lady Vikings will face the second-ranked squad in Pool B in the quarterfinals.

The Cavite-based AJAA Lady Spikers settled for second with a 2-1 card and will take on the Pool A winners in the next phase of the tournament.

Final day of women’s action is set today, with Pool B leaders CPS Antipolo City (2-0) battling Davao City (1-1) at 6:30 p.m., and UE Manila (1-1) going up against Bulacan (0-2) at 8:30 p.m.

Monica Guibao had six service aces for a 16-point outing while Jorelle Singh and Julie Catindig each had 14 points for Imus.

In the men’s division, Ruvince Abrot and Jayrack de la Noche combined for 24 points as Bacolod City completed a four-match sweep of Pool C with a 25-17, 25-17, 16-25, 25-18 tripping of UE Manila.

Santa Rosa overcame a tough Baguio City stand in the extended first set before carving out a 29-27, 25-23, 25-12 win to move in a tie with Army Taguig City in second place in Pool C with a 2-1 record.

In a duel of winless teams, UB Batangas repulsed ICC Caloocan, 25-15, 15-25, 25-23, 25-19, to finish third in Pool A.

Despite missing the semis bus, Lady Brahmans coach Roderick Del Mundo is grateful to play in big-time competitions like the Champions League.

“We would like to thank the PNVF for giving us the opportunity to showcase the talents of our athletes,” said Del Mundo, as UB is now setting its sights for NCAA-South and PRISAA early next year. “Malaking tulong sa mga bata kasi yung experience hindi naman yun makikita kung saan lang. Yung nakakalaban nila yung mga malakas na team, definitely pagbalik namin sa Batangas, we will become stronger as a team.”

Kylie Macatangay capped her sensational outing for the Lady Brahmans with 26 points, matching Jelai Gajero’s tournament-high in the CAL Babies four-set win over the Lady Warriors last Monday. She also had a team-best four service aces.

“Actually, nagsimula sa amin sa high school pa lang. So siya ang isa sa masasabi naming grassroots na pinanggalingan so yung kanyang experience, alam na niya kung paano dadalhin ang team,” said Del Mundo.

Lovel Hernandez had two service aces for a 12-point effort while Crissel Bando and Apreal Manansala had six points apiece for UB.

“Sayang lang yung mga laro lang noong una. Malaking adjustment lang sa mga bata na nasanay sa one-day league,” said Del Mundo. “Possiby malaking adjustment sa mga bata ang venue. Unang-una, pinapraktisan namin, mga open court, yung gymnasium namin hindi aircon. Pangalawa, sanay sila sa semento.”

Ednelle Maniquis tallied 12 kills, Angelica Nidoy had four blocks for a nine-point outing while Gelah Lopez also scored nine points for the Lady Blue Hawks, who ended up winless in three matches.