DESPITE missing the services of guest player Charo Soriano and ace blocker Bea Pascual, Ateneo played just enough to make it to the semifinals after a two-year hiatus.
The Lady Eagles drew big games from Thai import Sontaya Keawbundit and sparkplug Fille Cainglet to score an easy 25-22, 25-12, 25-23 win over Southwestern University and achieve their fourth ‘Final Four’ apperance overall in the Shakey’s V-League first conference Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
In the second game, Adamson primed up its ‘do or die’ showdown with San Sebastian College for the last semis berth in Group I with a 25-16, 25-17, 25-19 win over University of St. La Salle
The Lady Falcons tied the Lady Stags at 1-1, while Lady Stingers were virtually out of it all with a 0-2 slated.
“We will go all-out for the win laban sa San Sebastian (sa Mayo 13). Tao sa tao, kaya namin silang i-match up,” said Adamson coach Dulce Pante.
Guest player Nene Bautista uncorked 15 points, while Angela Benting chipped in 13 hits for the Lady Falcons. Michelle Laborte had 11 points for USLS.
Sontaya unloaded 14 hits to lift Ateneo to improve to 2-0 in Group II and join defending champion University of Santo Tomas in the ‘Final Four’ of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by PLDT myDSL.
Cainglet contributed a personal conference-high 14 points in another reserve role for the Lady Eagles.
Ateneo last entered the semis in the 2008 first conference, where the Katipunan-based spikers went to the championship round before losing to Adamson.
“Natutuwa ako at na-accomplish ng mga bata ang una naming goal, ang makapasok sa Top 4,” said Lady Eagles mentor Clint Malazo.
Soriano did not play as she suffered a mild head concussion in Ateneo’s practice the other day, while Pascual went to the United States for a two-month vacation.
The Lady Eagles hopes that the 5-foot-7 Soriano will return just in time for their last quarterfinals match against the Tigresses on May 13.
“Just in case na hindi pa rin siya puwedeng maglaro, I hope yung mag-step up ang ibang players. Gusto naming magkaroon ng magandang momentum going sa semis,” said Malazo.
Again, Thai reinforcement Piyatada Lasungnern was the lone bright spot for the Lady Cobras with 16 hits.
SWU slid to a 0-2 record to join College of Saint Benilde in early vacation. (TJ)
