By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The St. John’s Institute (SJI) Falcons asserted their dominance in high school girls’ volleyball after topping the 3rd Mayor Gerry M. Rojas Invitational Women’s One-Day League held at the Murcia Gym in Negros Occidental.

Fresh off their championship run in the 17-U One-Day League Prime Volleyball Club Tournament on November 23, the Gabrielle Yanson-led Falcons quickly took control of the title match, racing to a 16-3 lead against the University of St. La Salle (USLS) Lady Stingers.

SJI maintained its momentum the rest of the way to secure a 40-25 victory in the race-to-40 final.

USLS settled for second place.

In the battle for third, the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos (UNO-R) Lady Rams prevailed over the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, 30-27, in a tightly fought contest.

Tay Tung led early, 12-6, before UNO-R rallied to tie the game at 19-all.

The Lady Rams then surged ahead, 28-24, and held off a late Thunderbolts push to clinch third place.

Other participating squads included the host Murcia selection, Talisay City, Madeleine Academy – Hinigaran, Calvary Baptist Academy – Pontevedra, and Team Vipers Volleybelles.

The event formed part of the pre-festival activities for the 30th Tinabuay Festival, which opens on Thursday, December 4 and culminates on December 8, coinciding with the town’s patronal fiesta in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception./ASC, WDJ