ATENEO took advantage of Lyceum’s late game errors to escape with a 25-19, 24-26, 17-25, 25-19, 15-6 win and seize the solo lead in Group A of the Shakey’s V-League first conference Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
In the first match, University of St. La Salle of Bacolod moved closer in clinching a quarterfinals berth with a 25-19, 25-18, 25-17 decision of National University.
The Lady Stingers improved to 2-1 mark in Group B, while the Lady Bulldogs suffered their second loss in three starts in the event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and supported by Accel and Mikasa.
The Lady Pirates committed six miscues, while guest players Alyssa Valdez and Lithawat Kesinee delivered the killer blows along with Fille Cainglet, Gretchen Ho and Dzi Gervacio in the deciding set for the Lady Eagles to notch their second straight win.
“You give credit to Lyceum, (Mary Jean) Balse, (Dahlia) Cruz and (Joy) Cases gave us a good fight. Kulang kami sa focus but I’m the girls were resilient in the fourth and fifth set,” said Ateneo mentor Charo Soriano.
“There is so much challenge for me in this game than in my first game (against Far Eastern University). Give credit to the good strategies by (Lyceum) coach Emil Lontoc, he’s a seasoned coach,” she added.
Valdez continued her remarkable showing, dropping a career-high 27 hits, including two service aces, while Kesinee and Cainglet added 18 points apiece for the Lady Eagles.
The loss put to naught Balse’s 26-point output for the Lady Pirates, who drew a combined 22 points from Cases and Cruz.
Kesinee and Valdez joined forces for Ateneo to take a 7-1 lead in the fifth set before Cainglet, Gervacio and Ho came in to preserve the lead until the end.
Lyceum dropped to 1-1 card in second place to tie idle Southwestern University of Cebu in Group A.
The Lady Eagles have 13 blocks, with six from Kesinee and three from Gervacio.
“Kulang kami sa floor defense nitong first two games namin, wala kaming receive at dig. Mabuti at sa bago naming libero (Rebbie Delotindo) ay nakaka-execute kami ng maigi dahil sa kanyang mga receive,” said USLS mentor Roger Banzuela.
An assistant coach of the Lady Stingers high school team that retained the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League crown recently, the 4-foot-10 Delontindo recorded 13 digs and 12 excellent receptions.
Patty Orendain waxed hot with 16 points, all coming from attacks, while Kay Aplasca chipped in 12 hits, including six service aces, for USLS.
The Lady Stingers, the reigning NOPSSCEA champion, are seeking their second quarterfinals appearance in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.
Cai Nepomuceno had eight hits, while guest player Dindin Santiago added seven markers for the Lady Bulldogs. (TJ)
galing^^