Stage set for semifinals in Lulu-TOYA Kalayaan Cup 2nd Conference

Best Player awardees pose for a group picture. (AN photo)

JEDDAH: The stage is set for the semifinals with Jeddah United Hitters on course for a title sweep, beating Play Time 25-13, 21-25 and 15-8 in a headline match to finish the eliminations on 5-0 in the 2nd Conference Kalayaan Volleyball Cup at Trio Ranch and Country Club courts.
Jeddah United Hitters Syed Zafar Alishah was named the Best Player in the 4th game.
“Everybody wants to win. It’s not about how bad you want to win, it’s about how bad you’re willing to fight for it,” Jojo Dillera, team manager of Jeddah United Hitters, said of their feat of winning all elimination round games.
Virgin Mobile Spikers qualified No. 2 for the semis on 4-1, slamming the door on Jeddah Blue Spikers with a 25-17 and 28-26 victory in the third game of last Friday’s quadruplebill.
Despite the defeat by Jeddah United Play Time advanced as No. 3 in the next round on 3-2 having beaten KAMC 24-26, 26-24 and 15-13 in its first game Friday.
KAMC at 2-3 grabbed the fourth and last berth leaving Jeddah Blue Spikers 1-4 and IPSJ Wild Cats 0-5 as the two teams eliminated from the tournament.
Today’s semifinal matches pit Virgin Mobile against Play Time and Jeddah United Hitters against KAMC.
While JUH is expected to have smooth sailing the interesting semis game will be the Virgin Mobile-Play Time as both teams are tipped to go the distance to try and challenge Jeddah United Hitters for the crown.
The other Best Players winners on the night were Play Time’s Sanjay Sunil C. Daswani and Jon Nitura of Virgin Mobile.
The tournament is organized by Dreamstar Productions for Sports under the leadership of Al Moran Bacleon and supported by sponsors Emirates, SMDC, OSN, Virgin Mobile, TOYA and Lulu HyperMart. Event Planner/Tournament Organizer Maki de Guzman heads the Organizing Committee, Finance Office, Joey Villanueva, Admin & Technical teams: Michelle Angeles, Noreen Roxas, Cherry Reyes, Wilson Porlaje, Ahmad Luangco, Rico Celestial, Gemma Bares, Andy Kong and Sammy Silvestre; Jerry P. Lagrimas (Technical Adviser)/ Ernie Apollo (Operation Officer)/ Cesar Ramirez (Layout Artist)/ Edgar Zantua (Logistic Officer)/ Harold Amper (Tournament Commissioner)/ Alex Sales (Independent Adviser) with our official catering services Kusina ni Juday.
Team standings after the elimination round:
Jeddah United Hitters 5-0 All Filipino Virgin Mobile Spikers 4-1 Play Time 3-2 King Abdulaziz Medical City Hospital 2-3 Jeddah Blue Spikers 1-4 IPSJ Wild Cats 0-5