V-League: Adamson dominates Arellano to clinch quarterfinals slot

MANILA, Philippines – Adamson head coach Sherwin Meneses knew beating Arellano would mean stopping its formidable one-two punch in Nene Bautista and Mary Jean Balse.

Balse and Bautista, who combined for 38 points in the Lady Chiefs win over Perpetual Help last Tuesday, were limited to just 26 as the Lady Falcons won, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21, Sunday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 First Conference at the Arena in San Juan.

“We didn’t expect that we would win in straight sets but we really prepared for [Bautista and Balse],” Meneses told reporters in Filipino.

Guest player Angela Benting topscored with 18 points, including the game-clinching block on Elaine Sagun.

After cruising in the first set, Adamson had to dig deep in the last two with Benting and Pau Soriano anchoring the charge.

Soriano added 14 points while Shiela Pineda had eight.

“[Benting] plays all out, she plays well on defense and offense,” added Meneses, whose team nailed a quarterfinals slot in Group B after improving to 3-1.

Adamson’s offense clicked early but it was at the other side of the court were it separated itself from Arellano.

The Lady Chiefs pulled to within two, 21-23, after a conversion by Danna Henson.

Henson though, failed to make it two in a row as she got denied by wall provided by Faye Guevarra and Marleen Cortel that put Adamson at match point.