ADAMSON used its old-fashioned floor defense to clinch the last ‘Final Four’ berth in the Shakey’s V-League first conference.
The Lady Falcons rebounded from a first set loss to turn back Lyceum, 20-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-18, and stay on track for a possible second straight championship at the end of the quarterfinals Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
University of St. La Salle of Bacolod, meanwhile, formally clinched the top ranking in the Group II quarterfinals by repulsing Far Eastern University, 19-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-10, to arrange a best-of-three semifinals meeting with Adamson.
Group I topnotcher Ateneo and National University, which placed second in Group II, faced off in the other semifinals pairing which starts tomorrow.
“Yun ang lagi naming pina-practice, ang floor defense. Do or die ang laro kaya pinag-igihan na lang namin at nag-enjoy lang sa paglalaro sa loob ng court ang mga bata,” said Lady Falcons mentor Dulce Pante.
Guest player Nene Bautista fired a season-high tying 29 hits, while Pau Soriano added 15 points, including five blocks, and Angela Benting had 13 hits for Adamson.
The Lady Falcons dominated the Lady Pirates in the fourth frame, taking a 16-5 spread after an attacking error by Dahlia Cruz.
Mary Jean Balse scored 23 hits, including two blocks and two service aces, while Cruz chipped in 11 points for Lyceum, which failed to clinch a third straight semis appearance.
Patty Orendain had 17 points, including two blocks, while Kay Aplasca added 16 hits, including three blocks, for the Lady Stingers.
In their first-ever ‘Final Four’ stint, the Lady Stingers will parade beach volleyball standout Jovelyn Gonzaga, who will replace Jayde Hair, who will return to United States tomorrow for her high school graduation.
USLS will also field another guest player in University of Santo Tomas star Aiza Maizo, who will replace libero Rebbie Delontindo, who will make her scouting chores in the Palarong Pambansa for her Lady Stingers high school team.
“We will try our best sa semis. Na-achieve na namin yung target na makapasok sa semifinals at yung makarating sa finals, bonus na sa amin iyon,” said USLS coach Roger Banzuela.
Maica Morada fired 15 points, while guest player Rachel Daquis added 11 hits for the Lady Tamaraws, who were booted out of contention after dropping a five-setter to the Lady Bulldogs last Sunday. (TJ)
aiza is back!!!