Ateneo and National University had too much firepower that their semifinal opponents found hard to contain on Saturday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference.
Employing superior defense at the net, the Lady Eagles muzzled University of Santo Tomas for a 27-25, 25-16, 25-17 victory that pushed them closer to the finals.
The Lady Bulldogs gave up a set but had an overpowering performance as well to smother Far Eastern University, 25-15, 25-22, 25-27, 25-23, in the other best-of-three semis at San Juan Arena.
Bea de Leon overshadowed Alyssa Valdez with 16 hits and eight blocks that negated Ateneo’s shaky start.
Valdez, the established leader of the Lady Eagles, also had her moment with 15 hits, including 13 attack points, as the Lady Eagles stretched their unbeaten run at the expense of the Tigresses.
“Good blocking and defense,” said Ateneo coach Tai Bundit.
Sans Dindin Santiago-Manabat, the Lady Bulldogs gave a good account of themselves as skipper Jorelle Singh took the initiative of leading NU with 11 hits capped by three service aces that broke the resolve of the Lady Tamaraws.
Myla Pablo also shone and Jaja Santiago stepped from the shadows of her more prominent sister Dindin as they combined for 37 hits in the final three sets.
Guest player Jovelyn Gonzaga, Bernadeth Pons and Toni Rose Basas failed to exploit the absence of Manabat, who joined the national team in a tournament in Vietnam.
Pons had 16 points, Basas scored 12 and Gonzaga had 11 hits for the Tams.