Games today:
(Paco Arena)

8 a.m. --- Kings’ Montessori vs Perpetual

10 a.m. –-- UPIS vs NUNS

12 p.m. –-- Bethel Academy vs California Academy

2 p.m. –-- La Salle-Zobel vs FEU

4 p.m. --- Arellano vs Naga College Foundation

Far Eastern University-Diliman prevailed over Arellano University, 25-20, 25-20, to take the top spot in Pool B of the 2024 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) Sunday, June 2, at the Adamson University gym.

Raine Alonzo delivered the crucial hits for the Lady Baby Tamaraws in the second set to keep the Braves at bay for their second win in as many outings.

The winger poured six of her eight points built on seven kills and an ace in the second frame while Lovely Lopez added seven points as FEU inched closer to securing a quarterfinals seat in the country’s premier grassroots volleyball tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Smart Sports, Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Data Project, Genius Sports and Robinsons Malls.

“Isa lang naman ‘yung sinasabi namin. Kailangan lang maglaro sila ng maayos. Kailangan lang magkaroon sila ng gel sa loob ng court,” said Lady Baby Tamaraws coach Rjay Del Rosario.

“Kailangan lang mag-usap-usap sila para madali ‘yung trabaho and ‘yung galaw nila maging pulido. Kailangan lang sila i-push talaga,” he added.

Alonzo stopped FEU’s bleeding with a timely kill late in the second set when Arellano made a run to cut its five-point deficit to 20-17. The Lady Baby Tamaraws finished off the erstwhile unbeaten Lady Braves with a 4-3 run capped by a Princess Tumayao hit.

Samantha Maranan had nine points, all from kills, while Christal Pueblas and Catherine Chu scored six in a lost cause for Arellano, which slid to a 1-1 card.

Meanwhile, Bethel Academy zoomed to its second straight win after downing suddenly skidding Chiang Kai-shek College, 25-16, 25-22, in Pool A.

The Bethelites improved to a 2-1 card tied with idle De La Salle-Lipa behind the 16-point outing of middle blocker Shane Reterta.

Reterta uncorked 13 attacks with two aces and a kill block for an all-around display of her scoring prowess. April Rose Tre-inta and Triia Porto added seven and five points, respectively.

“Actually today, I think the girls are a bit off. It was a bit of a struggle starting the match, and starting every set. So, 16 points, 18 points pa kami nakaka-bounce back,” said Bethel Academy coach Tristan Garcia.

“But I'm still proud of the girls kasi kahit na it's an off day, they're not really playing that well, yung will to win nandun naman. Dinala na lang sa tiyaga and leadership ng seniors.”

Sachie Tud scored five points to lead the Blue Dragons, who absorbed a second straight defeat in three outings.

In Pool B, Naga College Foundation snapped a two-game skid to barge into the win column at the expense of Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-15, 25-21.

Sheena Sarie powered last year’s runners-up with 13 points to tie their victim at 1-1 slate.

Games in the SGVIL, organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc., are available via livestream on Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas, Aliw 23 (free TV) and Solar Sports (cable).