LAGUNA, Philippines (UPDATED) – After four days of elimination rounds and two days of emotional playoff battles, only two regions from each category remain for this year’s volleyball competition.

A repeat of last year’s championship war will happen tomorrow, Saturday, May 10 for the secondary boys category after last year’s silver medalist NCR took down West Visayas in just two sets, 25-21 and 25-16, and defending champions Calabarzon trips last year’s bronze medalist Central Visayas in three sets.

For the secondary girls category, Davao Region improves from their 5^th place finish last year as they enter the finals after ousting Central Luzon in three hard fought sets, 25-23, 17-25, and 25-19. Facing Davao in the finals is last year’s 6^th placer Western Visayas after dethroning defending champions NCR.

Moving to the elementary girls category, last year’s silver medalist Central Visayas returns to the Finals after their victory over NCR in two sets, 25-19 and 25-20. They will face this year’s host region in the finals after Calabarzon won in three sets over defending champs Western Visayas.  

Meanwhile, it’s going to be a finals showdown between two Visayan regions for the elementary boys category after Central Visayas swept Central Luzon in two sets, and 2013 third placer Western Visayas tripped defending champs Ilocos in three sets.

NCR wins Bronze in Elementary and Secondary Girls Volleyball

After NCR bowed down to Western Visayas in the knockout semifinals duel early Friday, the 2013 champions settled for third place in the secondary girls category this year after they tripped Central Luzon in two straight sets, 25-9 and 25-20.

For their elementary girls team, however, a bronze medal achievement is a huge leap from their 10th place finish last year, after NCR swept defending champions West Visayas, 25-19 and 25-23.

Meanwhile in elementary boys category, Central Luzon brought home the third place victory after ousting last year’s gold medalist Ilocos Region in three intense sets, 25-17, 20-25, 25-19.

While in the secondary boys category, Central Visayas completed the repeat of their 3rd place finish last year after they emerged victorious against Western Visayas also in three close sets, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21.

The awarding ceremonies for this year’s medalists will take place Saturday, May 9, right after the Championship games starting at 8:30 am for the secondary categories and 9am for the elementary categories, still at the main gymnasium of Laguna Sports Complex, Sta. Cruz, Laguna. – Rappler.com