Pinoy Spikers (Philippine Spike)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Adamson made the race for the last two ‘Final Four’ slots more exciting by posting crucial wins Wednesday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Maika Ortiz dropped a personal-season high 20 hits while Maru Banaticla added 15 points as the Tigresses bundled out University of the East of contention with a 25-21, 25-15, 25-16 victory.

Pau Soriano fired 20 points to help the Lady Falcons derail Far Eastern University, 25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19. Read the rest of this entry »

NENE Bautista filled in the gap of fellow guest player Michelle Laborte’s lackluster performance as Adamson neared to a second straight finals stint with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 win over University of St. La Salle of Bacolod Thursday in the Shakey’s V-League first conference semifinals at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Bautista fired 21 hits to help the Lady Falcons seize the 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three series and spoil the debut of new Lady Stingers reinforcements Aiza Maizo and Jovelyn Gonzaga.

In the second game, Ateneo moved closer in clinching its first championship stint in four seasons by turning back National University, 25-27, 25-14, 25-10, 25-19.

Using their fourth starting six this season with the absence of Dzi Gervacio due to school commitments, the Lady Eagles lost the first frame, but bounced back in the next three to seize the upperhand in the best-of-three series. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

NU only its second Shakey’s V-League stint, National University has made it to the semifinals. Reinforcements Dindin Santiago, Cherry Vivas and Monique Tiangco delivered as the Lady Bulldogs oust Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 15-13, and clinch the remaining ‘Final Four’ slot in Group II in the first conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

In the second match, Adamson, facing backs against the wall, remained in contention for the last semifinals berth by scoring a 28-26, 25-10, 25-19 win over Ateneo. Aside from dealing the first loss of Lady Eagles coach Charo Soriano, the Lady Falcons improved to 1-1 mark to avoid early elimination in Group I.

Adamson will face Lyceum in a ‘no tomorrow’ match for the last huling semis slot tomorrow. “Laban pa rin kami, hindi na iniisip yung standing namin.  Nandoon ang sense of urgency na manalo,” said Lady Falcons mentor Dulce Pante. Guest player Nene Bautista had 18 hits while Angela Benting added 14 points, including two blocks, for Adamson. Read the rest of this entry »

SOUTHWESTERN University is definitely no pushovers in the Shakey’s V-League first conference.

Continuing their giant-killing ways, the Lady Cobras outplayed San Sebastian College, 26-24, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20,  Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Adamson, meanwhile, forfeited its straight set win against University of Perpetual Help System Dalta for an eligibility infraction.

Southwestern, the reigning two-time CESAFI champions, followed its stunning five-set win over Far Eastern University to improve to 2-1 in second place behind Group A leader Ateneo, which has a 2-0 mark in the event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and supported by Accel and Mikasa.

The Lady Cobras pounced on the Lady Stags’ poor defense with an array of drop shots.

“Nakita namin yung weaknesses nila (San Sebastian), yung lapses nila sa floor defense kaya gumagawa lang kami ng hulog.  Natutuwa ako at naa-appreciate na ng mga fans dito sa Manila ang laro namin,” said Southwestern mentor Jordan Paca. Read the rest of this entry »