Shakey’s Girls volley q’final cast complete U

NDEFEATED National U-Nazareth School and California Academy marched on to the quarterfinals with ease after big wins against their respective rivals at the close of the 2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) elimination play Saturday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.

The Lady Bulldogs bested Gracel Christian College Foundation (1-2), 25-21, 25-17, to complete a 3-0 wipeout of Group A as California Academy trounced Arellano U (12), 25-11, 25-20, for a similar sweep of Group C.

Both squads thus topped their respective groups en route to the crossover quarterfinals of the 16team GVIL, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Potato Corner, PeriPeri and R&B Tea with the City of Manila as government cooperation partner, starting Sunday at the same venue.

In the fourth game, La Salle Lipa (2-1) clinched the second spot in Pool A with a 25-7, 25-18 win, over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta to also advance to the quarterfinals behind the six points of Vida Caringal.

Later, Bacolod Tay Tung High School (3-0) and Naga College Foundation (3-0) also swept Pools B and D, respectively, with Adamson (2-1) securing the second seed in Pool B to complete the quarterfinal cast.

Bacolod smothered Kings’ Montessori School (1-2), 25-16, 25-18, on Alexa Marie Montoro’s 18 points as Naga leaned on Sheena Sarie’s 13 points to clip Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy (0-3), 25-13, 25-14.

Far Eastern U-Diliman, which

LIST OF NEW SET OF NOMINEES OF MAGKAKASAMA SA SAKAHAN, KAUNLARAN (MAGSASAKA) PARTY-LIST

ended its campaign at 2-1 as early as last week, finished second behind California Academy in Group C to also qualify in the knockout playoffs.

In Pool D, the University of Santo Tomas (2-1) booked its own ticket as the No. 2 seed after a stunning win over La Salle Zobel (1-2), 25-19, 25-20, in the battle of UAAP powerhouse squads.

Kianne Louie Olango and Yesha Noceja connived with eight points each to spearhead the Lady Bulldogs with Bienne Louise Bansil adding seven. Robielle Angela Silla and Celine Marsh threw in six points apiece in their balanced attack.

“Marami pa po kaming kulang. Hindi po namin best game iyon. Gagawin po namin lahat para maipakita pa lahat ng kaya namin,” said Kianne Louise Olango.

Casiey Monique Dongallo, for her part, sizzled with 24 points to anchor California Academy, which revs up for a tougher challenge moving forward in the GVIL also powered by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Toby’s Sports, Genius Sports and SM Tickets.

“We have to work more in the quarterfinals. Kung ano po ‘yung ipinakita namin ngayon, we can show more,” she said.

Bacolod Tay Tung High School (2-0) and Naga College Foundation (2-0), likewise, enjoy inside track to the quarterfinals in Pools B and D, respectively, while other teams were still to determine their fates in the remaining matches as of press time.

Smart proud of SIBOL’s medal haul in SEA Games

FROM Lakad Matatag to Taon ng Tagumpay, SIBOL athletes displayed their skills and spirit as they bagged six medals in the games that they joined – a bronze medal for Crossfire, another bronze medal for Valorant; a gold medal for League of Legends: Wild Rift, and a threepeat championship win for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Men’s Team.

This is also the first time that SIBOL won a bronze medal for the PUBG Mobile category. The MLBB Women’s Team – which is comprised of members of Smart Omega Empress –also won the silver medal for their division.

“We congratulate SIBOL for dominating the esports competition at the recent SEA Games. You showcased what hard work, teamwork, and determination can do, proving that you are the true legends of the battlefield,” said Francis E. Flores, SVP and Head of Consumer Business – Individual at Smart.

Smart has been a sponsor of the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO), the national sports agency behind esports and SIBOL, since its establishment. The telco has also been a key figure in the development of the esports community in the country – from national athletes, professional and casual gamers, stakeholders, and fans.

“This is evident in our efforts to level up the gaming experiences of Filipinos through our fastest and best mobile network, recognized by Ookla, platforms like GIGA Arena, products and services that cater to the needs of our gamers, and events that continue to delight our esports fans and partners,” Flores added.

Manila Chooks! drops Masters opener

MANILA Chooks! fought hard but fell in its Chooks-toGo FIBA 3x3 World Tour Manila Masters 2023 opener to reigning FIBA 3x3 World Tour winner Ub Huishan NE, 9-21 (5:06) on Saturday at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.

The Serbian powerhouse performed like a well-oiled machine from the get-go, racing to a 9-0 start in the first two minutes before The Philippines’ No. 1 3x3 player Mac Tallo broke the ice with a two-pointer.

“Naunahan kami. Ub knows our game very well. They know Mac, so I thought they really took advantage of the familiarity,” Chooks! head trainer Chico Lanete said.

Marko Brankovic, the No. 2 3x3 player in the world, paced Ub with 15 points while veteran Dejan Majstorovic added 5 points for the squad which also took home the Manila Masters crown last year.

Brankovic and Majstorovic joined hands in scoring six straight points for Ub as they pushed themselves up to a commanding 15-2 lead with 6:46 left to play.

“Our concern was our individual defense. We knew Serbia’s players are all capable of shooting from the outside. I told them not to help too much,” Lanete said.