Shakey’s VL: Lady Falcons keep title bid soaring

MANILA, Philippines—Adamson stretched its winning streak to seven games and put a dent on Ateneo’s semifinal hopes with a straight set victory Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.   Nerissa Bautista and Angela Benting registered 18 hits each as the Lady Falcons downed the Lady Eagles, 28-26, 25-18, 25-15, last night to seize the solo lead with their ninth win in 11 matches.   Adamson coach Dulce Pante drew superb games from her formidable starting six as the Lady Falcons forged ahead of rival San Sebastian-Excelroof, which was playing Lyceum late last night.   “We really need to get that No. 1 slot so we’ll have an easier time in the semifinals,” said Pante, who at 66, is one of the oldest coaches in the league. “I didn’t want to gamble on my rotation.”   A lineup change, however, worked wonders for Far Eastern U, which stayed in the hunt for a semifinal berth with a come-from-behind 19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 triumph over National U in the first game.   FEU coach Nes Pamilar’s benched Cherry Ann Vivas and the change paid off as the Lady Tamaraws drew solid numbers from fringe players Kathlyn Pascual and Mayjorie Roxas.    “I just wanted to change the combinations and it’s a good thing it clicked,” said Pamilar in Filipino.   “Some of the players are getting too confident that they’re already a regular in the rotation. If they know their place in the lineup isn’t safe, they’ll work harder,” added Pamilar, whose squad improved to 5-5.   The Lady Tamaraws still need to win their two remaining matches—against Lyceum on Aug. 29 and Ateneo on Sept. 2—to at least gain a playoff for the fourth and last semifinal spot.   But with third-ranked Ateneo losing to Adamson and falling to 6-4, the opportunity has opened up for the Lady Tamaraws, who snapped a three-game skid.   Monique Tiangco, benefiting from more sets because of Vivas’ absence, fired nine points to effectively backstop guest players Rachelle Ann Daquis and Michelle Carolino, who combined for 28 points.   Pascual also made her presence felt with 10 points as the Lady Tamaraws wrapped up the match in an hour and 41 minutes.