Davao spikers impress in V-League debut, trounce FEU

Games Monday

(The Arena, San Juan)

2 p.m. – Davao vs Perpetual Help

4 p.m. – St. Louis vs St. Benilde

MANILA, Philippines – The Davao Lady Agilas debuted with a bang after it turned back a feisty Far Eastern U side, 25-20, 25-19, 20-25, 25-22, to nail their first victory in the Shakey's V-League Season 11-First Conference at The Arena in San Juan City Sunday.

Composed of the best of the best in Davao, the Lady Agilas just clawed at the unsuspecting Lady Tams with the power-spiking May Shiel Agton spearheading the onslaught with a match-best 15 hits, all coming off kills.

Venus Flores, Princess Joy Oliveros and Angel Mae Antipuesto provided the needed help as they fired 14, 11 and 10, respectively, to help push the Lady Agilas at fourth in Group B headed by the National U Lady Bulldogs, the reigning champions who have clinched the first of four quarterfinal slots staked in their bracket with a 4-0 (win-loss) slate.

The Santo Tomas Tigresses are currently at second with a 2-1 card while the Lady Tams absorbed their third defeat against two wins for No. 3.

After seizing the first two sets, Davao appeared headed to a straight set victory when it led by as much as four, 8-4, and then by three thrice including at 16-13.

But FEU, behind Bernadette Pons' heroics, fought its way back and completely turned things around to snatch the third set, cut its deficit to a set to two and force a fourth set where it hopes to snatch again and forge a decider.

Riding on their third set momentum, the Lady Tams went to a fast 4-2 start before the Lady Agilas regained their old lethal form to snatch the momentum, with Oliveros finishing off the former with a booming kill that sent the latter into frantic celebration at center court.

"I just told the girls to be patient, play their usual games and not be bothered by pressure even though this is our first time to join here," said an ecstatic Davao Lady Agilas coach Shane Alagao in Filipino.

Davao, composed of the standouts from Ateneo de Davao, Jose Maria College, San Pedro College, University of Mindanao and Holy Cross, will need another win to put itself half a step closer to the quarters.

"We're just taking it a game at a time," said Alagao.