NATIONAL University's junior squad continues its magical ride scoring back to back wins on Tuesday, May 16, in the ongoing Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) National Inter-Collegiate Men and Women's Volleyball Championship 2017 at the University of Baguio (UB) gym.
The Lady Bullpups stormed Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila in three sets, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22 before edging a fighting University of the Cordilleras Lady Jaguars, 25-11, 24-26, 25-20, 25-16 in the 3rd Pedro R. Mendoza Jr. Memorial Cup that was supported by Monolith Construction and Hanes.
The Lady Jaguars failed to capitalize on their earlier five set conquest of National College of Business and the Arts (NCBA), 25-20, 21-25, 26-28, 25-19, 15-12 for their first win in the event also backed by the City Mayors Office, University of the Cordilleras (UC), and the UB.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association women's champion Arellano University also notched another victory after edging Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) champion UB Lady Cardinals, 25-10, 25-17, 25-21.
But the Lady Cardinals later on bounced back with a hard earned five set victory against LPU, 23-25, 19-25, 27-25, 26-24, 15-6.
Lady Cardinals coach Jhiesel Agudia said the tournament serves as a test for her other players with three of the starting six leaving the squad.
Agudia said setter Cherry Atuban and Nicole Guyguyon are set to graduate this year while middle hitter Carmela Dicksen may take a leave of absence as she will be taking her on the job training outside Baguio City.
Over at UC gym, UB also notched a victory in the men’s contest by edging Holy Angel University, 18-25, 25-19, 19-25, 21-25 while Adamson University made short work of Best Link College, 25-18, 25-20, 25-19 with Mapua Institute of Technology escaped BBEAL men’s champion UC, 25–12, 25–22, 21–25, 23-25, 15–12.
The NCBA also dispatched LPU in three sets, 25- 23, 25-18, 25-17.
Tournament Coordinator Danilo Cong-o said that staging of the tournament named after the late PVF president who has made Baguio and Benguet the home of the annual intercollegiate tournament and at the same time recognize the contributions of Mendoza to the promotion of sports program in the Cordillera.
The annual volleyball championship, which is part of PVF’s grassroots development program, aims to create opportunities for students to showcase and enhance their volleyball skills. (Roderick Osis)