KMS-QUEZON City and Imus AJAA beat their separate foes on Sunday for a hot start in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League women’s competition at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Vikings—behind Judith Abil’s 15 points she highlighted with 12 kills and three service points—defeated the ICC Caloocan Lady Hawks, 27-25, 25-18, 25-17, while the Lady Spikers rallied past the University of Batangas (UB) Lady Brahmans, 21-25, 25-12, 25-23, 25-16.
Quezon City and Imus gained a headstart in women’s Pool A of the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco, PLDT, Philippine Olympic Committee, Cignal HD, One Sports, Cignal Play, F2 Logistics and Amigo Segurado.
Julie Catindig nailed the set-clinching kill in the third to give the Cavite-based lady spikers a 2-1 advantage before coasting in the fourth frame.
With veteran setter Gyzelle Sy orchestrating the offense, Catindig led Imus with 12 points while Monica Guibao added 10 markers. Kylie Macatangay paced the Lady Brahmans with 14 points.
Judith Abil scattered seven of her 15 points in the third set and fired three service aces, while Justine Dorog had five of her eight points in the third for Quezon City.
The Lady Vikings tallied three blocks, all came from Sheeka Espinosa.
Ednelle Maniquis topscored for Caloocan with eight points.
“It really great to see some new volleyball talents from Mindanao on the first day,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.
In men’s action on opening day Saturday, Nico Almendras and Kenry Malinis each had 11 points as National University-Pasay opened its campaign with a 25-19, 25-20, 25-22 romp of One Bulacan Republicans in Pool B.
Cignal, with Marck Espejo leading the charge with 18 points, also set in motion its title aspirations with 22-25, 25-12, 25-15, 25-17 conquest of VNS-Quezon City in Pool A.
In the other Pool B match, Pikit North Cotabato AMC G Spikers overcame a second set loss to beat Imus City-AJAA Spikers, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 25-18.
Basilan Tennun Spikers and PGJC Navy later joined Cignal for the early Pool A lead with victories of AIP Benguet.
The Mindanao-based side scored a 25-17, 25-23, 25-19 victory over their counterparts from Northern Luzon. The Sea Lions pinned Benguet a second straight loss with a 25-13, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22, in the nightcap.
Pool C action saw TARAG-Lolek Bacolod outlast Santa Rosa City, 23-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-18, 15-10, and Baguio City turning back Army-Taguig City, 25-23, 28-26, 25-19.
Image credits: Roy Domingo