Handout/SSL
MANILA -- King’s Montessori School turned back California Academy, 25-18, 27-25, for a second straight win in Pool C of the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 on Friday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
Paula Palma and Sheniry Neverio delivered the timely hits as the Lady Vikings charged back from five points down in the second set to complete a hard-earned sweep for a 2-1 win-loss record.
Palma scored all of her nine points from kills while Neverio pounded five of her six markers in the second frame for KMS, which bolstered its chances of advancing to knockout quarterfinals despite suffering a disappointing three-set opening day loss to Arellano University.
Venice Escote and Kriska Gindap combined for nine points for the Lady Vikings.
The debuting Cal Babies threatened to force a deciding set after building a 21-16 lead behind Diosa Perez and Mhonnieck Soliven. KMS mounted a telling 8-2 to move at matchpoint, 24-22, following an attack error by Soliven.
California Academy saved three match points with Perez knotting it at 25 after a booming crosscourt hit, only for Palma to answer with her version to push the Lady Vikings back in front. The Cal Babies surrendered the match after Soliven committed the last of the inaugural champions’ atrocious 22 errors off a mistimed tip.
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Soliven had 11 points while Perez had 10 markers in a lost cause.
Meanwhile, Emilio Aguinaldo College sustained its fine form after a quick work of Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-19, 25-17, for a 2-0 record on top of Pool A.
Angel Perez fired 10 points and Hanameel Saplot added nine in the Lady Brigadiers’ follow-up in a three-set shocker over defending champion Adamson University last Wednesday.
The Junior Lady Pirates dropped to a 1-1 card.
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On the other hand, De La Salle-Zobel A kicked off its campaign on a winning note after a 25-20, 19-25, 25-21, escape over Corpus Christi School in Pool C while Chiang Kai Shek College swept Holy Rosary College, 25-21, 25-21, for a 2-0 slate on top of Pool B.
Corpus Christi and Holy Rosary remained winless in two outings in their respective pools.
In Division 2 action, Assumption Antipolo nicked erstwhile unbeaten Domuschola International School, 25-21, 19-25, 25-21, in Pool F for its first win in three starts.
Everest International Academy snapped De La Salle-Zobel B’s two-game roll in a 25-15, 23-25, 25-20 decision for a 1-1 card in Pool E.
SGVIL games are available live and on-demand via Puso Pilipinas and Solar Sports.