ADAMSON needed the strong play of former MVP Nerissa Bautista in the fourth set to repulse a gritty Letran squad, 25-18, 25-16, 14-25, 25-22, yesterday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 9 First Conference at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Bautista, the MVP four years ago when Adamson won its first and only title, nailed back-to-back kills to seal the victory that sent the Lady Falcons to the quarterfinals.
The Iloilo-born standout finished with 22 points, including three service aces, and parlayed fine defensive work at the backline where she put in nine excellent digs. Pau Soriano contributed 16 points as the Lady Falcons improved to 2-2.
“We allowed Letran to come back because we relaxed in the third set,” said Adamson assistant coach Sherwin Meneses, who called the shots in the absence of Dulce Pante.
“That has been our problem, aside from the fact some of our new players are still adjusting.”
Earlier, Perpetual Help made light work of Far Eastern, 25-21, 25-17, 25-20, to secure solo second in group A.
Honey Rose Tubino, one of the heroes of Perpetual Help’s NCAA title run early this year, finished off the Lady Tamaraws with a down-the-line kill as the Lady Altas rose to 3-1.
Kornbang Pornpimol had 17 points for the Lady Altas, who hung tough even after the Lady Tamaraws closed in at 20-24 on back-to-back kills from Rosemarie Vargas in the third set.
“We’re jelling very well,” said Perpetual Help coach Mike Rafael, whose team is enjoying its finest four-game start in its stint in the V-League.
Except for Jen Manzano, the Lady Tamaraws generated little offense, even as the Lady Altas proved superb on defense with 10 blocks, four courtesy of Tubino. FEU only managed 30 attack points, 14 less than Perpetual Help’s tally.
Letran refused to waver after losing the first two sets, relying on Thai guest player Patcharee Sangmuang and Joy Cases to force a fourth set.
Sangmuang tallied 16 points, while Cases finished with 10 for Letran, which wrapped up its V-League return with a 0-4 slate. With reports from Randolph Leongson and Rodolfo Lozada, Contributors