Adamson repels USLS; NU scores

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson sized up University of St. La Salle in the first two sets then rallied from behind in the third to secure a 25-23, 25-15, 25-22 victory in a shaky start for its back-to-back title drive in the Shakey’s V-League at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Guest player Michelle Laborte took over for the Lady Falcons in the third, ramming in key hits as the San Marcelino-based squad overcame a 6-11 deficit in the third frame to clinch the win on a Des Patilano drop shot.

Angela Benting led Adamson with 16 points, including four service aces, while former MVP Nene Bautista added 14 kills and Pau Soriano tossed in 11 points for the Falcons, seeking a second straight championship after beating the San Sebastian Lady Stags in last year’s second conference crown in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

After pulling off a five-setter over St. Benilde, USLS struggled with its offense with Patty Orendain emerging the top scorer with nine points after scoring 22 against the Lady Blazers. Gianes Dolar, Charmaine Moralde and Kay Aplasca were also held to a combined output of 22 points as the Lady Stingers dropped to 1-1.

Earlier, National University rebounded from a straight-set loss to University of Perpetual Help System Dalta the last time out and a first-set setback to foil St. Benilde, 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-23, in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel as official outfitter and Mikasa as official ball.

Cai Nepomuceno fired 18 hits while guest player Dindin Santiago added 16 points, including three blocks, for the Lady Bulldogs, who are out to contend for the crown after turning in a sixth place finish in their debut last year.

Despite wheeling back with a 1-1 card in Group B, NU coach Francis Vicente said he was far from being satisfied with the way his wards played the game.

“There was hardly communication when it comes to getting the ball and they tend to relax,” said Vicente, whose wards had to battle from an opening frame loss to pound out the win. “I hope they will be able to adjust in time.”

St. Benilde also needs to fine-tune its game if it wants to stay in contention as the Lady Blazers fell to their second straight loss.

Former FEU standouts Cherry Vivas and Monique Tiangco backed Nepomuceno and Santiago with a combined 27-hit output to turn back the Blazers in a tight four-set duel.

Nepomuceno’s back-to-back hits put NU within the win at 24-21 but Giza Yumang scored in their St. Benilde’s turn and the Blazers moved to within a point from a Cooky Salibad set fault.

Santiago, however, rammed in a kill through Angeli Araneta’s defese for the match-clinching hit.

Yumang and Cindy Optana came away with 12 hits a piece for St. Benilde, which also drew 10 points from Araneta.