MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles gave head coach Sergio Veloso a winning debut by beating Mapua University Lady Cardinals, 25-23, 25-20, 35-33, in the Shakey’s Super League on Sunday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Bacolodnon setter Katherine Shaine Cortez displayed her efficient ball distribution. She finished with 21 excellent sets to be named as the Player of the Game for the new-look Blue Eagles.
“Nag-trust lang po ako sa teammates ko at sinasabihan din ako ni coach Sergio na gawin lang kung ano ‘yung training namin. Wag lang po ma-pressure tapos trust lang talaga sa teammates and coaches,” said the former Bacolod Tay Tung High School standout.
Lyann De Guzman spearheaded the offense for the Blue Eagles with 14 points, including 13 attacks, AC Miner and Sophia Buena added 11 points apiece as Gena May Hora chipped in 10 points.
Meanwhile, defending SSL champions National University Lady Bulldogs punched a ticket to the next round of the competition after a 25-18, 25-15, and 25-13 triumph over the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags.
Former UAAP Rookie-MVP Mhicaela Belen played only in two sets but still dropped 13 points on 13 attacks, while Erin Pangilinan and Evangeline Alinsug added nine and eight points, respectively, in NU’s second straight game in as many days.
“Hindi kami dapat magpa-kampante kahit nanalo kami ng dalawang laro dito sa Shakey’s Super League. Marami pa rin kaming dapat i-improve as a team bago ang UAAP,” said Belen.
Arellano University Lady Chiefs, on the other hand, bolstered their playoff bid following a 25-22, 17-25, 25-21, 25-17 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines Lady Pirates. They improved to 2-1 slate.
Laika Tudlasan spearheaded the offense with 19 points on 17 hits and two aces, Marianne Padillion chipped in 14 points, while Donnalyn Paralejas dished out 22 excellent sets on top of four points in the Lady Chiefs’ crucial victory.
“Sobrang halaga po ng laban namin na ito kasi kung natalo kami, baka mawalan po kami ng chance sa Top 2. Nanalo po kami at ngayon may pag-sang makapasok sa Top 2 at ma-extend pa ang laban namin sa Shakey’s,” said Paralejas./PN
