Games tomorrow
2 p.m. – Lyceum vs Adamson
4 p.m. – SWU vs SSC-R
Ateneo struggled with its reception and floor defense but found a way to turn back a stubborn St. Benidle side as it hacked out a 25-21, 26-24, 25-19 victory yesterday at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 first conference at The Arena in San Juan.
Thai import Sontaya Keawbundit came away with 13 hits, including 12 spikes, and Fille Cainglet added 12 hits while playing for just two sets for the Lady Eagles, out to improve their dismal fifth place finish in the last conference ruled by University of Santo Tomas.
“Actually, we have no problem with our offense but we have to polish our reception and floor defense,” said Ateneo coach Clint Malazo in Filipino, whose wards are coming off a third place finish in the last UAAP women’s volley.
Earlier, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito graced the opening rites of the new season’s first conference with league commissioner Tony Lian, Sports Vision’s Ricky Palou and Shakey’s Pizza officials, headed by EVP and general manager Vic Gregorio, brand and events manager Coochy Mamaclay and marketing manager Barbie Ocampo making the ceremonial serve.
Charo Soriano, Ateneo’s other guest player, finished with nine points while Dzi Gervacio and Jem Ferrer added seven and six hits, respectively, for the Lady Eagles, eyeing no less than a Final Four finish in the tournament sponsored by Shakey”s Pizza and presented by PLDT MyDSL.
The Lady Blazers actually moved within a set point in the second frame at 24-23 but guest player Jennifer Manzano’s attack went wide and Keawbundit scored on a service ace to snatch the win.
St. Benilde, however, refused to give up and even led at 18-16 in the third set on a Rossan Fajardo hit. But the Lady Eagles went through Cainglet and Jem Ferrer in offense and the rest held the Blazers to just one point to complete the sweep.
Fajardo wound up with a career high 19 hits but Manzano, a standout of La Salle-Dasmarinas, struggled for seven points for St. Benilde, which played without mainstay Katty Kwan due to previous commitment.
Giza Yumang, the top attacker in the last conference of the league organized by sports Vision and backed by Mikasa, Accel and Mighty Bond.
