MANILA—Hoping to ride on its impressive win in Game 1, Ateneo tries to complete its remarkable Shakey’s V-League first conference run with a first title today at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Eagles, led by Thai import Kesinee Lithawat, hope to sweep the Adamson Lady Falcons at 4 p.m. in Game 2 of their best-of-three championship series.
Lithawat, a two-time MVP awardee, stood at the forefront of the Game 1 attack with 24 points, including seven blocks.
She also got plenty of help from Most Improved Player Fille Cainglet and Alyssa Valdez in the 23-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 triumph.
Bacolod’s University of St. La Salle will also try to sweep National U in their third-place battle at 2 p.m. The Lady Stingers won Game 1, 16-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-22.
Ateneo coach Charo Soriano is confident her wards can finish off the Lady Falcons, who are actually seeking back-to-back titles in the tournament.
“With the way we played in Game 1, I think we can win it,” said Soriano, the former star spiker who is only in her first conference as coach of the Lady Eagles.
Adamson coach Dulce Pante has shrugged off the Game 1 loss.
“My players just had an off game,” said Pante. “I think we can still recover in Game 2.”
The Lady Falcons have experience on their side with Nene Bautista and Micmic Laborte among the holdovers from the championship winning squad in last year’s second conference.
For the Lady Falcons to force a deciding game, they also need big games from Angela Benting, Pau Soriano and Angelica Quinlog.