Alyssa Valdez and Michelle Morente’s combined for 43 points but they couldn't overcome Davao's Jocemer Tapic and Sheila Agton, who capitalized on Ateneo's errors
MANILA, Philippines – The Davao Lady Agilas continue to raise eyebrows as they posted another stunning win, this time against the reigning UAAP champions Ateneo de Manila, to get ahead in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference round robin quarterfinals, Thursday evening, May 1, at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
Coach Abet Bernan’s girls pounced on Ateneo’s mountain of errors – especially in the crucial stretches of the game – to escape the Lady Eagles in thrilling five sets and win their first quarterfinal assignment, 22-25, 25-18 25-27, 25-18, 19-17.
Princess Joy Oliveros starred for the Davao-based side as she finished the game with 11 attacks, two aces and a block while four of her teammates scored in double-digits to lift the Lady Agilas over Pool A’s leaders in the elimination round.
Davao had to overcome two nerve-wrecking Ateneo matchpoints as the Katipunan crew seized a 16-15 lead but Oliveros displayed solid composure in endgame to nail two unanswered points en route to a hard-earned 19-17 fifth set victory.
“Sabi ko lalaban tayo. Trust lang. Trust sa mga kasama. Tapos, laban lang. I-enjoy natin ‘yung game,” Oliveros told reporters shortly after the game.
(I just told them we’ll give them a good fight. Just trust each other and just fight. Let’s just enjoy this game.)
And true enough, the Lady Agilas did exactly that.
Not even Alyssa Valdez and Michelle Morente’s combined 43 could stop Davao as Jocemer Tapic scored a team-high 16 points while Sheila Agton added 13. In fact, the Lady Agilas seems to enjoy going up against high-caliber squads as Mary Grace Berte and Abigael Antipuesto also had a spectacular afternoon, contributing 12 apiece in their sixth outing in less than two weeks.
After winning four of their five preliminary games, Ateneo asserted themselves early as they kept the Lady Agilas at bay in the first set to notch the opener, 25-22, but Davao was able to bounce back as they evened the match at one set apiece courtesy of a 25-18 second set win.
Both squads then fought tooth and nail in the third, exchanging hits throughout the set but Ateneo – leaning on Valdez who topscored in the game with 23 – was able to turn a 20-22 deficit into a 27-25 win to grab the lead anew.
The Lady Agilas, however, were able to bounce back in the fourth as they dictated the tempo and cruised to a six-point lead to send the game to a deciding fifth set, 25-18.
After swapping points in the fifth, Ateneo gained a 13-10 lead, riding on a 4-2 run, but Davao bit back with three consecutive points to tie the game at 13-all.
Oliveros took over from then on as she delivered some crucial hits complete the Lady Agilas’ stunning comeback against Ateneo.
The Lady Eagles edged Davao in attacks, 58-55, and service aces, 10-8, but their 44 miscues did hurt as the Lady Agilas dominated the blocking department 9-4.
Backing Valdez is Morente who finished with 20 points while Amy Ahomiro pitched in 11 for Ateneo. Cherry Ann Balse and Agton, meanwhile, combined for 25 digs to anchor the defense for Davao.
Scores
Davao – Tapic 16, Oliveros 14, Agton 13, Berte 12, Antipuesto 12, Raterta 5
Ateneo – Valdez 23, Morente 20, Ahomiro 11, Gequillana 6, Morado 5, Maragnot 4, Patnongon 3
By Set: 22-25, 25-18, 25-27, 25-18, 19-17
- Rappler.com
