Big Shakey’s V-League Open start for Ateneo, SSC

MANILA—Ateneo picked up from where it left off,  overwhelming newcomer Maynilad in straight sets Sunday at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 8 Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Showing the cohesion and firepower that keyed their first conference romp, the First Conference champion Lady Eagles tore apart the Water Dragons’ porous defense en route to a 25-15, 25-21, 25-22 triumph before a big Sunday crowd.

San Sebastian unveiled a gem of a reinforcement in 6-foot-2 American Lauren Ford in a 25-15, 25-21, 25-22 smashing of Philippine Air Force in the first game.

Ford, who hails from Indiana, and has played in different leagues in Europe, had 12 points, 11 off attacks as she joined hands with Analyn Benito and Jeng Bualee in spearheading the Lady Stags’ vaunted offensive.

The improved performance by the Lady Stags brought relief to coach Roger Gorayeb, who had lamented his squad’s lack of competitive fire in the previous conference where San Sebastian wound up ninth in the 10-team field.

Putting emphasis on its buildup for the UAAP wars, Ateneo did not field any foreign reinforcement this time.

But with Alyssa Valdez leading the way, the Lady Eagles still proved too strong for Maynilad, which is parading a squad composed of employees, who are incidentally former collegiate standouts.

“The team is maturing,” said new Ateneo coach Parley Tupaz in Filipino.

“We are taking this opportunity to face stronger teams as we prepare for the UAAP as well,” added Tupaz, who took the reins after Charo Soriano begged off from coaching the Lady Eagles again, citing other commitments.

The 5-foot-9 Valdez finished with 20 points, including 16 off attacks, while Fille Cainglet chipped in 15 for the Lady Eagles, who got a combined 18 points from blocks and service aces.

The Lady Eagles were in the groove right from the get-go, unlike the Water Dragons, who were still struggling to find the right combinations.

Maynilad, the champion in the MVP Olympics, a sportsfest among companies under the stewardship of business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, is made up of former players from Lyceum, San Sebastian, National U and University of the East.

Setter Jem Ferrer also starred for the Lady Eagles, putting in two important drop shots that gave Ateneo cushion during the late stages of the third set.

Ferrer’s drop broke a 16-all tie and another tap ended a long rally and lifted the Lady Eagles ahead to stay, 22-18.