Ateneo, Adamson a win shy of title showdown

BANKING on its new triple threat, Ateneo rose from a set down and survived a third-frame thriller to turn back University of Santo Tomas, 20-25, 25-16, 29-27, 25-14, and move within a win of a finals stint in the Shakey’s V-League yesterday at Philsports Arena.

Thai ace Jeng Bualee debuted strong for Ateneo, teaming up with Alyssa Valdez and Rachel Daquis in a game marked by comebacks before the defending champions wrapped it up with a flourish in the final frame.

Adamson also came out triumphant in another nail-biter as the Lady Falcons shocked the favored National University Lady Bulldogs, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 15-13, to take a 1-0 lead in their own best-of-three semifinal series.

Angela Benting pumped in a day-high 28 points, capped by a match-clinching service ace, as Adamson dealt NU its first tournament loss.

“We never thought that we can’t beat NU,” said Adamson coach Sherwin Meneses.

Valdez unloaded 25 points built around 19 kills, three blocks and three service aces and Bualee, who only joined the Lady Eagles last week, had 15 kills and four blocks.

Daquis also drilled the set-winners in the last two frames to finish with 13 points.

“We were looking for good combinations and found it in the second set,” said coach Roger Gorayeb, whose wards rose from a set down.

Ateneo fought off set point thrice in the third set as Valdez fired three consecutive hits before Bualee and Daquis scored the last two points to cap the Lady Eagles’ rally, 29-27.

Before Benting wrapped up the three-hour five-setter, Pau Soriano’s kill put the Lady Falcons at match point, 14-13, after rallying from 4-9.