Agilas reach quarters, repulse Lady Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines - Davao survived two tightly-fought, back-and-forth extended sets and hacked out a thrilling 25-20, 30-28, 14-25, 32-30, victory over fancied National U to barge into the quarterfinals in the Shakey’s V-League right on its first try at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The Agilas leaned on sheer determination to outlast the Lady Bulldogs with May Agton, Jocemer Tapic, Venus Flores and Mae Antipuesto combining for 66 hits to defy the defending champions and remain unbeaten in three games in their maiden season in the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

Although NU had clinched a seat in the next round with a sweep of its first four games in Group B, the setback still sent the Lady Bulldogs reeling and perhaps re-assessing their chances for a successful title-retention bid with the Mindanao-based squad emerging as a worthy title challenger.

The Lady Bulldogs actually nipped the Agilas, 57-56, in spikes and had more blocks, 10-7, but the latter made the points in the clutch to pull off the big reversal in the league backed by Mikasa, Accel and Lion Tiger Mosquito Coil.

Agton fired away 21 kills, Tapic added 13 points and Flores and Antipuesto backed them up with 12 and 10 markers, respectively, with Princess Oliveros and Reynelen Raterta tossing in seven and five hits, respectively.

Dindin Santiago banged away 18 attacks, Aiko Urdas stepped up to turn in a 17-hit performance, and Myla Pablo and Carmin Aganon each had 12 points for NU, which, however, played without Jaja Santiago, who was with the national team in the Asian Women’s Club Championship in Thailand.

Trailing, 29-30, in the fourth set, Agton unloaded a kill to tie it then Antipuesto came through with a block and the Agilas took the win after NU’s Ivy Perez served into the net.

“I can’t describe the feelings we’re having right now, we really didn’t expect to beat a former champion of the V-League,” said Davao coach Shane Alagao.

Already assured of a place in the next round, Davao goes for a sweep of its group when it clashes with UST on Sunday and San Sebastian on Tuesday.

NU, the first team to make it to the quarters, closed the elimination round with a 4-1 (win-loss) record. 

“They’re still strong even without Jaja. It also helped us that we played without pressure because we’re playing in this tournament as underdogs,” said Alagao.

Meanwhile, the NU-Davao clash and the Ateneo-SLU duel will be shown today starting at 1 p.m. on GMA News TV Channel, according to the organizing Sports Vision.