Lady Eagles keep fiery form; NU up

ADAMSON’S Jellie Tempiatura hits the deck as she fumbles a spike by Ateneo star
Alyssa Valdez (left) in yesterday’s game at the Filoil Flying V Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Showing their readiness for another championship run, the Ateneo Lady Eagles smashed the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-19, 18-25, 25-23, 26-24, Sunday at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference at a jampacked Filoil Flying V Arena.

Riding on the momentum of their scintillating UAAP conquest last week, the Lady Eagles put up a gutsy showing as they climbed out of several deficits to gain a headstart in the 12-team tournament.

Alyssa Valdez, fresh from her MVP performance in the UAAP, was all business anew with 23 points while Amy Ahomiro wound up with 16, including seven service aces.

Defending champion National University also launched its title bid on a positive note by walloping reigning NCAA winner Perpetual Help, 25-21, 25-16, 25-15.

Myla Pablo fired 10 hits including some key blocks in the third set that helped the Lady Bulldogs fashion out the victory in just over an hour.

Egged on by the huge opening-day crowd, Ateneo came charging back from a 9-15 hole in the third courtesy by scoring heavily on Ahomiro’s serve.

Ahomiro fired three consecutive aces and nailed a smash at set point to give the Lady Eagles a decisive 2-1 lead.

The stretch starring Ahomiro turned the match around for the Lady Eagles, who pulled off another comeback from four points down in the fourth set to complete the victory.

With Adamson leading 18-14, Valdez came up with a block and a kill to spearhead the comeback.

The Lady Eagles also got solid contributions from rookie Michelle Morente, who contributed 14 points and Ella de Jesus who sealed the victory with a kill.

Morente actually put Ateneo at match point with a kill. Pau Soriano paced the Lady Falcons with 19 points while Thai import Pacharee Sangmuang added 17 points.

The Lady Eagles went into the game on a high after overcoming a heavily favored La Salle team in the UAAP finals to claim their first title.

And just like their series against La Salle where they had to climb out of several deficits, the Lady Eagles proved resilient against an Adamson squad looking for payback following its elimination by Ateneo in the UAAP tournament.

Ateneo’s charismatic Thai coach Tai Bundit missed the game as he was in Thailand, leaving the coaching duties to Parley Tupaz.

But it hardly mattered as the Lady Eagles proved that the “Heart Strong” battlecry, which Bundit coined in their UAAP campaign, was translated into another stellar performance.