Surprise team Davao stuns UAAP champion Ateneo in five sets

Davao’s Angel Mae Antipuesto (14) goes for a power tip against Ateneo’s Miren Gequillana (18) and Amy Ahomiro during their Shakey’s V-League quarterfinal showdown at The Arena in San Juan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Davao continued to surprise in the Shakey’s V-League, this time nipping UAAP champion Ateneo in five grueling sets on Thursday in the 11th Shakey’s V-League First Conference.

A comeback from 10-13 in the fifth set propelled the Lady Agilas to a thrilling 22-25, 25-18, 25-27, 25-18, 19-17 victory to boost their semifinals bid before a big crowd at the Arena in San Juan on Labor Day.

The Davao selection scored four straight points to take a one-point edge, 14-13, in the decider, then survived the Lady Eagles in a wild wind-up which saw the teams trade leads two more times.

May Sheil Agton sparked that run with back-to-back off-speed hits, while diminutive yet energetic Princess Oliveros sustained the momentum by scoring the last three hits that put the Lady Agilas at match point.

A hitting error from incoming Ateneo rookie Jhoanna Maraginot handed the win to Davao.

“Even if we lost our two starters, I just reminded the players to trust each other and just fight. We’re underdogs against Ateneo, but we just need to enjoy and do our best,” said coach Abet Bernan in Filipino.

Davao missed the services of Venus Flores and Irish Dignadice, who are in Boracay for the Nestea Beach Volleyball tournament.

But help was aplenty for the Lady Agilas with five players churning out double-digit scores with Jocemer Tapic pouring in 16 hits, Oliveros with 14, May Agton 13, and Grace Berte and Mae Antipuesto chipping in 12 apiece.

With a 1-1 card, counting its elims loss to groupmate University of Santo Tomas, Davao tied Ateneo in second place in group 1 of the last 8 phase.

First timers in the league who impressed with a great elimination round stint, Davao, once again, leaned on its solid blocking and sterling reception.

Alyssa Valdez came away with 23 hits, coming alive in the fifth set, and Michelle Morente and Amy Ahomiro backing her up with 20 and 11 points, respectively.

But the Lady Eagles, despite having the bulk of the crowd behind their backs, failed to finish off the Lady Agilas despite leading by as many as four, 8-12, in the decisive set.

“We watched them every game in the competition and we managed to scout their offense. Our game plan was to check Alyssa, because if we fail to do that, everyone else will explode,” said Bernan.

Ateneo was also doomed by its 44 miscues.

RELATED STORIES

Shakey’s V-League: Ateneo tests Davao’s mettle today

Quarters-bound Lady Falcons defeat Lady Blazers in Shakey’s V-League