Ateneo blanks Arellano to inch closer to V-League semifinals

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo shut the door on Arellano, 25-18, 25-17, 25-23, and continued where it left off 11 days ago on Thursday in the 10th Shakey’s V-League first conference quarterfinals.

Alyssa Valdez and Rachel Ann Daquis topscored with 14 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Lady Eagles, who showed no rust despite a long layoff as they grabbed their first win in the quarterfinals.

The last time last season’s UAAP finalists played was on April 21 after they completed a sweep of the elimination round.

Ateneo scored three straight points to put Arellano away for good in the third set as the Lady Chiefs made one threatening run to even take the lead, 23-22.

Veteran volleybelles Mary Jean Balse and Nene Bautista combined for 24 points for Arellano, which dropped to 0-2 in the playoffs.

Only one more victory , meanwhile, stands in the way of Ateneo’s bid for a semifinal spot, and it faces a tough National University on Sunday.