Pinoy Spikers (Philippine Spike)

SOUTHWESTERN University of Cebu scrambled past Far Eastern University in a marathon five-setter, hammering out a 27-29, 30-28, 25-21, 19-25, 15-13 victory to wheel back into contention in the Shakey’s V-League first conference at the Filoil Flying-V Arena in San Juan late Thursday.

Princess Pido and Danika Gendrauli delivered the last two points in a down-to-the-wire fifth set to snatch the victory for the Lady Cobras.

Pido, who played last season for University of St. La Salle as a guest player, finished with 20 hits and 15 digs, while Gendrauli fired 19 hits for Southwestern.

The Lady Cobras, also drew 11 points from Danalie Baquiro and eight hits apiece from skipper Rapril Aguilar and reinforcement Erika Verano.

Southwestern bounced back from their opening game setback to the Lyceum last Tuesday to improve to 1-1 in Group A.
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NATIONAL University rebounded from a stunning opening day loss to University of Perpetual Help System Dalta with a 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-23 victory over College of Saint Benilde Thursday in the Shakey’s V-League first conference at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

LYCEUM bucked a sluggish opening set to outlast reigning CESAFI champion Southwestern University, 21-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-15, for a winning start in the Shakey’s V-League first conference Tuesday night at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

In the first match, former national youth standout Patty Orendain unloaded 22 hits as Bacolod’s University of St. La Salle nipped sister team College of Saint Benilde, 25-21, 25-27, 18-25, 25-17, 15-11.

Joy Cases uncorked all of her 20 hits from attacks, while reinforcements Mary Jean Balse and Dahlia Cruz chipped in 19 and 12 points, respectively, for the Lady Pirates, who are dominating the WNCAA scene for more than a decade.

“Wala pa sa kondisyon masyado yung dalawang guest players namin.  I hope makabawi sila sa Sunday game namin sa Ateneo, 50-50 ang chance namin na manalo,” said long-time Lyceum mentor Emil Lontoc. Read the rest of this entry »

FORMER star Charo Soriano notched her first win as Ateneo coach, as the Lady Eagles turned back Far Eastern University, 25-17, 25-22, 25-20, yesterday at the start of the Shakey’s V-League first conference at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Soriano, who at the age of 25 has become the league’s youngest coach, bucked her nervousness in her coaching debut for Ateneo, which banked on guest player Alyssa Valdez’s game-long brilliance.

In the other match, April Ann Sartin scored all of her 15 hits from attacks and collected 11 digs as University of Perpetual Help System Dalta eked out a surprisingly easy 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 win over National University.

Sandra delos Santos added 11 points, including two blocks, for the Lady Altas, who were title contenders in the recent NCAA women’s volleyball tournament but were disqualified due to eligibility violations. Read the rest of this entry »