MANILA, Philippines -- Ateneo drew strength from the power-hitting pair of Alyssa Valdez and Jhoanna Maraguinot as it turned back an upset-conscious University of the Philippines, 25-18, 26-24, 20-25, 25-15, Saturday to remain unscathed in the Shakey's V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
Valdez played the Batman by firing a match-best 29 hits while Maraguinot the Robin by unloading 24 as the Lady Eagles booked their fourth victory in as many outings to inch closer to the best-of-three semifinals.
Actually, Ateneo has registered six straight wins but only four were counted based on the league's unique carryover format.
The Valdez-Maraguinto duo was just too unstoppable at the net as the two accounted for 47 of the Loyola-based spikers' 59 total kills that fended off repeated attempts by the Lady Maroons to turn things around.
Valdez, the country's flag-bearer in last June's Southeast Asian Games in Singapore and the best volleyball player in the country today, shone the brightest in the fourth set when she completely took over and scoring Ateneo's last three points.
"We played strong," said Ateneo caoch Tai Bundit.
Earlier, National University overpowered a listless La Salle-Dasmarinas, 25-17, 25-19, 25-17, yesterday to move closer to the semis.
Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo and Dindin Santiago-Manabat took turns in delivering the kills with nine hits apiece while team captain Jorelle Singh chipped in eight as the Lady Bulldogs nailed their third win against a loss.
"We were more aggressive at the net, I feel that was the key," said NU assistant coach Edjet Mabbayad, who is handling the reins while headcoach Roger Gorayeb is on a sabbatical, in Filipino.
The Lady Patriots, led by seven hits each by Iumi Yongco Mariebeth Lara, just couldn't handle the fearsome foursome of Santiago, Manabat, Pablo and Singh, who alternated in pushing back the Cavite-based spikers.
La Salle-Dasmarinas fell to its third loss against a win while UP fell to 0-4.