Lady Bulldogs stall Suns; Eagles score

MANILA, Philippines - National U played the spoiler’s role to the hilt and did collegiate rival Ateneo a big favor as it eked out a shock, come-from-behind 23-25, 18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 16-14 win over fancied Cagayan Valley in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference quarterfinal round at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The Lady Eagles sustained their amazing surge, upending the Army Lady Troopers in another nerve-wracking five-setter, 25-19, 19-25, 21-25, 25-21, 16-14, later in the day to move closer to fourth-running Rising Suns (6-4) at 6-5.

It was Ateneo’s fourth straight win in the quarters with the reigning UAAP champions going for a sweep against the Lady Bulldogs tomorrow.

The Lady Eagles, who survived a pair of five-setters last week to stay in the hunt, fought back from 1-2 set down and 6-9 deficit in the fifth set, winning five straight points to snatch an 11-9 lead. But the Lady Troopers, who clinched the first semifinal berth with a win over NU last Sunday, struck back and led at 14-13 before the Lady Eagles took the last three points to steal the win.

League scoring leader Alyssa Valdez pumped in another 28-hit game while Amy Ahomiro fired 19 hits and Michelle Morente stepped up with 17 markers as the troika bucked Army’s foursome of Rachel Ann Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Nerissa Bautista and MJ Balse, who combined for 60 hits.

Army took its third loss against eight wins in the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Already out of the semifinal race after losing their first three games in the quarters and down by two sets against the defending champions, the Lady Bulldogs overcame the odds and the Rising Suns as they took the next two frames then bucked a 13-14 deficit in the decider by winning the last three points.

Jaja Santiago played true to form and unloaded 21 kills and two blocks and finished with 24 hits and drew solid backup from Myla Pablo, Rizza Mandapat, Ivy Perez and Jorelle Singh, who scored 15, 14, 10 and nine points, respectively, for the Lady Bulldogs, who hardly improved to 4-7.

Out of the Final Four race, NU did gain nothing but pride in the victory.

“Even though we’re out of it, we just want to always go out there with a win because every game here in the V-League counts since we are also preparing for the UAAP,” said NU coach Ariel dela Cruz.

Games are shown on a delayed basis over GMA News TV Channel starting at 1 p.m., according to the organizing Sports Vision.

The Rising Suns actually recovered from setbacks in the third and fourth frames, moving to match point at 14-13 on Singh’s error. But the Lady Bulldogs surprised their fancied rivals by snatching the last three points, including a pair of kills by Mandapat and Maritess Pablo that sandwiched an error by Cagayan ace hitter Aiza Maizo.

The Lady Eagles, waiting for their turn against the Troopers, celebrated quietly from the sidelines.

Maizo rammed in 21 hits, Rose Vargas and Wenneth Eulalio each had 11 markers and Pau Soriano and Janine Marciano added nine points apiece for the Rising Suns, now hard-pressed to sweep their last two games against PLDT Home Telpad and Air Force to clinch the last Final Four seat.

Only Army (8-2) is into the semis with PLDT Home Telpad and Air Force zeroing in on the other two with 7-3 and 7-4 marks, respectively.