Lady Eagles soar past Tams, clinch No. 1

Games today (Sunday)

12:45 p.m. – National U vs UST

3 p.m. – St. Benilde vs UP

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo overpowered Far Eastern University behind Alyssa Valdez and Jhoanna Maraguinot and cruised to a 25-19, 25-14, 25-18 romp yesterday to clinch the top spot in the semifinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

The power-hitting duo of Valdez and Maraguinot took turns in delivering the blows, with the former firing away with a match-best 15 hits, including 13 on kills, while Maraguinot scattered 11 markers to power the Lady Eagles to their sixth straight victory and a win closer to completing a sweep of the elims and the quarters of the mid-season tournament of the league presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

Valdez’ solid performance also firmed up her bid for the MVP plum with the league’s scoring leader piling up 139 hits highlighted with 114 spikes, both conference highs.

“We played strong,” said Ateneo coach Tai Bundit.

Meanwhile, National U tries to prime up for its much awaited duel with Ateneo next week as it battles equally tough UST at resumption today  of quarterfinal action in the league where it all started.