Far Eastern University-Diliman bullied its way to a 25-9, 25-12, dismantling of University of the Philippines Integrated School for a strong start in Division 1 of the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Wednesday, May 28, at the La Salle Green Hills gym Court 2.
Ifunanya Udaegbala had seven points off six attacks and one kill block in the Lady Baby Tamaraws’ winning debut in Pool D of the country’s biggest grassroots volleyball league backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
Aleah Devosora and Aliah Ona backed her up with six points each while setter Sheena Café landed three of FEU’s 12 aces.
In Pool B, Chiang Kai Shek College blasted Bethel Academy, 25-15, 25-22, behind Shamira Pantoja’s 11-point explosion, all from attacks.
The Blue Dragons pummeled the Bethelites with 27 kills and five aces in the 51-minute encounter.
Lyceum of the Philippines University and Arellano University also hurdled their respective opening day assignments.
The Junior Lady Pirates swept University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-18, 25-21, in Pool A while the Lady Braves survived dangerous Kings’ Montessori School, 25-19, 16-25, 27-25, in Pool C.
Meanwhile, La Salle Green Hills and Domuschula International School score contrasting debut victories in their respective pools in Division 2 of the tournament, backed by Mikasa, Asics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo and Smart.
The Greenies demolished Assumption College-San Lorenzo in straight sets, 25-13, 25-11, for a rousing start in Pool E.
On the other hand, DIS clawed back from a set down before pulling off a hard-earned, 13-25, 25-20, 29-27, triumph over gritty St. Theresa-Quezon City in Pool F.
Naimha Martha Banal led DIS with 12 points built on seven attacks and five aces.
The Pasig-based DIS regrouped in the second set to force a decider and looked poised for an easy win in the third frame after erecting a 10-point lead, 21-11.
St. Theresa refused to surrender without a fight, unleashing a telling run to knot the set at 23 off a Briana Mendoza kill block on Banal.
Banal pushed DIS at match point but a service error by Micaela Pingris gave St. Theresa an opening to take three match point advantages with its last at 27-26 off a Mendoza kill.
A 1-2 play by DIS setter Portia Asistio forced the last deadlock before Chyne Lin finished off St. Theresa with back-to-back aces.
Immaculate Conception Academy dominated Assumption-Antipolo, 25-14, 25-19, in the other Pool F pairing.
Action continues Thursday with University of Santo Tomas taking on UPIS at 9 a.m. to open the five-game schedule in Court 1.
The second match pits Bethel Academy against Holy Rosary College in Pool B, followed by defending champion Adamson University and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta clash in Pool A. DIS guns for a second straight win in an encounter with Immaculate Conception Academy while Assumption Antipolo and St. Paul College-Pasig clash in the other Pool F pairing in Division 2.
In Court 2, Corpus Christi School goes up against Kings’ Montessori School in Pool C at 9 a.m. followed by FEU squaring off against St. John’s Institute-Bacolod in Division 1. De La Salle-Zobel B locks horns with Assumption College-San Lorenzo in Pool E while LSGH eyes back-to-back victories against debuting Everest International School.
SGVIL games are available live and on-demand via Puso Pilipinas and Solar Sports.
