GIZELLE Tan of Ateneo sets the ball up as teammate Bea de Leon looks on. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
NATIONAL team star Alyssa Valdez took charge in the deciding set as Ateneo bucked a slow start to overcome St. Benilde, 23-25, 18-25, 25-8, 25-20, 15-10, yesterday for its fourth straight victory in Group B of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Eagles survived a gritty stand by the Lady Blazers with Valdez coming up big in the fifth set to complete Ateneo’s comeback from two sets down and move within a victory of sweeping the first round of the mid-season tournament.
Valdez wound up with 32 points, including four crucial hits in the fifth set that helped turn the tide for the Lady Eagles who also got solid games from Bea de Leon, Jhoanna Maraguinot, Amy Ahomiro, Kim Gequillana, Madeline Madayag and Gizelle Tan.
The Lady Blazers slid to third spot with a 2-2 slate, behind University of Santo Tomas. Technological Institute of the Philippines remained in the hunt for a quarterfinal spot in Group B with a 1-2 slate.
In Group A play, Arellano overpowered University of Batangas, 25-4, 25-23, 25-16, to join Far Eastern U in the quarterfinals.
With skipper Joy Rosario, Menchie Tubiera and Joviely Prado coming up with big hits, the Lady Chiefs prevailed in just 61 minutes, sending the Lady Brahmans to their fourth loss.
Danna Henson, Carmina Aganon and Shirley Salamagos combined for 26 points for Arellano, which moved to solo second behind FEU.