Ateneo, La Salle volleybelles keep 1-2 spots

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo rolled to its 11th straight victory while La Salle picked up a 10th win that assured the Lady Spikers a semifinal bonus in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez shone anew with 23 points as the Lady Eagles disposed of Far Eastern University, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23, to move within just three wins of an elimination sweep and an outright Finals berth.

The Lady Spikers also halted University of Santo Tomas’ four-game run with an emphatic 25-21, 25-9, 25-18 triumph anchored on Ara Galang.

If the Lady Eagles complete a sweep, the Lady Spikers will still be assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the stepladder semifinals.

Galang fired 17 points and Cyd Demecillo added 12 to lead the Lady Spikers past the Tigresses, who had looked confident after their incredible rise from a woeful 1-5 start.

“Our players executed well,” La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus said.

The Lady Spikers held UST standouts EJ Laure, Pam Lastimosa and Ria Meneses to just six points each and Carmela Tunay to a measly three. Despite the loss, the Tigresses kept solo third at 5-6.

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