ATENEO and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta advanced to the, while Southwestern University booked its first ever quarterfinals stint outside the court. The Lady Eagles put to an end to the Lady Cobras’ giant killing ways with an emphatic 25-16, 25-15, 25-15 win and retain their Group A lead in the Shakey’s V-League first conference Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Altas clobbered College of Saint Benilde, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19, in a Group B match for a 3-0 record. Before facing Ateneo, Southwestern notched its third victory when Lyceum was found fielding in an ineligible player in the opener.
The league nullified the Lady Pirates’ 21-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-15 win against the Lady Cobras last April 5 for using Carla Benedicto in the opening set. A transferee from University of Santo Tomas, Benedicto is not eligible to play in the tournament as she was not in Lyceum’s WNCAA line-up last year.
Benedicto can be only considered as a guest player for the Lady Pirates, and she will not pass the league’s general rules, which states that a team can only field in two reinforcements. Lyceum’s forfeiture came a few days after the league nullified Adamson’s win over Perpetual Help last Tuesday for also fielding in an ineligible player.
The Lady Falcons registered a straight set victory but was immediately rescinded by the league after coach Dulce Pante used Faye Guevarra, who is not in the team’s line-up in the recent UAAP season, in the second set. Guest players Alyssa Valdez and Lithawat Kesinee fired 16 points while Dzi Gervacio and Fille Cainglet had eight and six hits, respectively, for the Lady Eagles.
Seldom-used Aerieal Patnongon, filling in for Gretchen Ho, who missed the game due to school commitments, and Ella de Jesus also shone for Ateneo by combining eight points. “We have a deep bench, and it proves the versatility of the team. I made sure that I have to maximize and give opportunity to others like Aerieal (Patnongon) and Ella (de Jesus), they have their time to shine,” said Lady Eagles mentor Charo Soriano.
Southwestern, led by Danika Gendrauli with seven hits, finished the elims with a 3-1 record.
Sandra delos Santos dropped 14 hits, including three blocks, while April Ann Sartin added 10 points for the Lady Altas.
Perpetual Help, which gained a big break when it won a lost game against Adamson due to eligibility violation last Tuesday, remained on top of the Group B standings with a 3-0 mark. Playing for the second straight game minus guest player Jennifer Manzano, who is with her team La Salle-Dasmariñas in the PRISAA competitions in Zamboanga City, this was hardly a problem for the Lady Altas.
“Hindi agad nakapag-adjust ang mga bata noong nawala si Manzano kaya masama ang laro namin sa Adamson. At least nakabawi ang mga bata at maganda ang inilaro ng ibang players ko tulad nina (Honey) Tubino at (Norie Diaz),” said Perpetual Help coach Mike Rafael.
“Overall, masaya na kami at nakapasok na kami sa quarterfinals. Hindi lang basta basta ang mga teams dito,” he added. Giza Yumang led the way for the Lady Blazers, who lost their third straight and on the brink of elimination, with 12 points. St. Benilde has already dropped 13 straight matches since last season. (TJ)
