Valdez, Lady Eagles soar to V-League final

Game Saturday

12:45 p.m. – UST vs FEU (best-of-three for third)

Game Sunday

12:45 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo (best-of-three for crown)

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo leaned on Alyssa Valdez and used solid blocking to overpower University of Santo Tomas, 25-18, 25-18, 25-19, in their sudden death match yesterday to arrange a title showdown with National U in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The power-hitting Valdez punched her way to a match-high 19 hits, including 16 attack points, and the Lady Eagles shut down the UST’s hitters with rock-solid net defense as they wrapped up the series, 2-1, to set up a much-awaited best-of-three title duel with the Lady Bulldogs starting on Sunday.

Laure, who unleashed a match-best 17 kills in the Tigresses’ shock 18-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-22 win in Sunday’s Game Two to force the decider, failed to get her rhythm and was held to just nine hits.

Ateneo took the opener, 27-25, 25-16, 25-17, Saturday.

“Coach Tai (Bundit) actually designed plays for each players not just her (Laure), good thing it worked,” said Valdez.

Ateneo thus forged a highly anticipated showdown with NU, which swept Far Eastern U to clinch the first finals slot.

FEU and UST start their own playoff for third on Saturday, also at 12:45 p.m.

Game Two is on Sept. 27 while a deciding Game Three, if necessary, is on Oct. 4.

UST came into the match oozing with confidence after dealing Ateneo its first loss in the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

But the Lady Eagles put on a near-impeccable all-around game anchored on solid blocking, outclassing the España-based squad all throughout the 78-minute match.

Handily taking the first two frames via the same scores, Ateneo pulled away from a 11-8 count in the third by rattling off eight straight hits spiked by five blocks that completely broke the backs of the stunned Tigresses, who hobbled all game with top hitter Ennajie Laure struggling and skipper Pam Lastimosa checked by Ateneo net defenders.

The league six-time champions did save five match points from 14-24 as Ateneo relaxed toward the end but the Lady Eagles clinched the victory just the same on a UST service error.

“Coach Tai kept telling us to stay positive. He kept on lifting us up during training because we were so down after our Game Two loss,” said Ateneo setter Gizelle Tan, who got everybody involved with her brilliant playmaking chores, producing 17 excellent sets and clinching the game’s best player honors.