Lady Eagles halt Lady Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Ateneo formed a massive wall at its frontline when upset-conscious National U launched an uprising and pulled off a 25-15, 26-24, 20-25, 25-14 victory to become the first team in the quarterfinals of the ninth Shakey’s V-League presented by Smart at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The Lady Eagles, who trounced the Far Eastern U Lady Tams, 25-17, 25-18, 19-25, 25-15, Tuesday, blew hot in the opening set and cold in the middle sets and then hot again in the final frame to nail their second win in a row and gain a seat in the next round.

Ateneo’s pretty, power-hitting pair of Fille Saint Cainglet and Alyssa Valdez spearheaded the onslaught with 15 kills each.

Still, the win hardly impressed Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb.

“Sumabay sa laro ng kalaban, nawala yung depensa at sumama yung reception namin (Played the game our opponent want us to do, the defense just went wrong and our reception turned poor),” said an exasperated Gorayeb.

After an easy opening set, the Lady Eagles were a bit complacent in the next set and paid dearly for it as the Lady Bulldogs snatched the momentum and even led by as many as four points, the last at 18-14.

NU appeared headed to taking the second set when Dindin Santiago, its guest player who suited up for Santo Tomas last year, pummeled a kill to give NU a 24-22 lead.

But the Lady Eagles kept their cool and took the next four points, thanks to three Valdez spikes and a kill from team captain Gretchen Ho, who contributed seven hits, to save the set in the event backed by Mikasa and Accel and organized by Sports Vision.

Though dropping the heartbreaker, NU didn’t flinch and responded by dominating the third set, thanks to the long-limbed Santiago, who led all hitters with 22, and Maricar Nepomuceno’s continued bombing from the net.

It turned out the Lady Bulldogs’ last show of resistance as Valdez and Cainglet took turns in delivering the blows to seal it.

Also making significant contributions were Angeline Marie Gervacio, who pumped in 13 hits and Thai import Phee Nok Kesinee, who scattered 12. The two were most effective in defense as they combined for seven blocks including a game-high five by the former.

NU fell to its second straight setback and closer to getting eliminated in the format that calls that only one gets eliminated in the two groups.