Shakey’s V-L big guns whip foes
JHOANNA Maraguinot continued to take charge even as star Alyssa Valdez briefly returned to action as Ateneo whipped San Sebastian, 25-17, 25-13, 25-21, yesterday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Maraguinot, who unleashed a game-high 23 points in her last outing, topscored anew with 13 points in the easy victory that gave the Lady Eagles a share of the Group B lead at 2-0 with the idle St. Benilde Lady Blazers.
Kim Gequillana and Amy Ahomiro also helped the Lady Eagles put the match away early, before Valdez took the floor in the third set and even finished with five points.
Article continues after this advertisement“We have many injured players, so I need to support the team,” said Valdez, who sat out in the opening weekend and wasn’t expected to see action for at least one more week due to overfatigue.
In Group A, National University overwhelmed University of Batangas in straight sets, 25-16, 25-14, 25-19, to keep pace at 2-0 with Far Eastern University, which bested Arellano, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21, 25-16.
Jaja Santiago unloaded 15 kills, three blocks and half of the team’s 10 aces in a stellar 23-point show.
Article continues after this advertisementMyla Pablo added 13 points for the Lady Bulldogs, who fired 43 kills against the Lady Brahmans, who could only muster 16.
Bernadeth Pons paced the Lady Tamaraws with 21 points built on 18 attacks and three blocks, while guest player Jovelyn Gonzaga chipped in 15 points.
The Lady Stags’ consecutive errors in the first set helped the Lady Eagles build a wide margin early, 11-4, before Maraguinot and Ahomiro led in wrapping it up at 25-17.
By the second frame, the Lady Eagles pulled away at 13-6 on the way to another easy 25-13 win as the Lady Stags continued to miss the fiery attacks of star spiker Gretchel Sol-tones, who was relegated to libero due to a shoulder injury.
Ateneo star Valdez delivered a kill that put the Lady Eagles at match point before an error by the Lady Stags sealed the match, 25-21.
The Lady Eagles missed the services of Ella de Jesus (eye injury), Jia Morado (knee injury) and promising Fil-Canadian rookie Kat Tolentino, who sustained an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury right before their first game last week.