Army downs Ateneo, keeps V-L Open 2nd spot

Philippine Army took advantage of a depleted Ateneo lineup to forge a 25-15, 25-21, 20-25, 25-21 triumph and keep solo second at the end of the first round in the Shakey’s V-League Open on Tueday night at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Michelle Carolino fired all of her 20 points on kills and Jacqueline Alarca added 13 markers, including three service aces, to power the Lady Troopers to their fourth win in five outings.

Army coach Rico de Guzman said he had the chance to tinker with his lineup as the Lady Eagles played minus key cogs Fille Cainglet and Dzi Gervacio.

“We wanted to give our other players a chance to play since there wasn’t much pressure playing Ateneo,” De Guzman said in Filipino.

Cainglet and Gervacio, two of the Lady Eagles’ top three scorers, missed the match due to school commitments.

Rachel Ann Daquis also tossed in 10 points for the Lady Troopers, who had the match in control save for the third frame when the Lady Eagles rallied with six unanswered points to steal the set, 25-20.

The defending champion Army remained a game behind Sandugo-San Sebastian, which completed a five-game sweep of the first round.

Ateneo slipped to 2-3.