Ateneo rips FEU, nails top V-League semis spot

Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez once again led the Lady Eagles to a victory in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Ateneo again showed formidable form in trouncing Far Eastern University in straight sets, 25-19, 25-14, 25-18, to secure its hold of the No. 1 spot in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference Saturday at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez teamed up anew with rising spiker Jhoana Maraguinot as the Lady Eagles remained undefeated with a 6-0 card to clinch the top seed in the semifinals.

But Valdez, who topscored with 15 points, still claimed the Lady Eagles played far from perfect in the win that also spoiled the Lady Tamaraws’ first of two attempts to nail a Final Four berth.

“We actually struggled trying to play consistently—in blocking and defense,” said Valdez. “That’s what we’ve been trying to do all throughout.”

The Lady Tamaraws slipped to fourth with a 4-2 record as Arellano closed in with a 3-3 slate following a 25-20, 25-17, 25-15 whipping of De La Salle Dasmariñas in the second match.

Now left to fight for the last three semifinal slots are University of Santo Tomas, National University, FEU and Arellano.