California Academy and Naga College Foundation pulled off thrilling upsets against perennial contenders National U-Nazareth School and Bacolod Tay Tung to arrange a finals duel in the 2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) Saturday at the San Andres Gym.
California stunned NU-NS, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 27-25, while Naga claimed the scalp of Bacolod Tay Tung High School, 11-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, in the Final Four clash among unbeaten teams.
California Academy and Naga will slug it out in the one-game championship next Saturday in the event backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri and R&B Tea with the City of Manila as government cooperation partner.
Casiey Dongallo and Gelaica Gajero combined for 51 points for the young Antipolo-based California spikers.
Jenalyn Umayam chipped in 10 points while Kizzie Madriago orchestrated the show with 21 excellent sets for California, which scored three straight wins against the Lady Bullpups highlighted by a stellar comeback in the fourth set from a 21-24 deficit.
“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. 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,” said coach Obet Vital.
