SSL playoffs: Arellano shocks Ateneo; FEU edges Adamson

Games on Sunday
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)

11 a.m. – CSB vs UE
2 p.m. – UST vs AU
5 p.m. – ADMU vs NU

MANILA, Philippines – Arellano stunned Ateneo, 25-21, 25-18, 25-21, while Far Eastern University prevailed over Adamson in the battle of undefeated teams, 25-20, 25-22, 25-20, for an explosive opener in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 playoffs Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

Save for the liberos, all players scored for the Lady Chiefs in a scattered attack led by nine points of Marianne Padillon as they climbed to 3-1 in Pool E of the newly formed playoff groups featuring the top eight squads from the prelims.

Laika Tudlasan and Pauline de Guzman added seven and six points, respectively, while Heart Villaflores and Dodee Batindaan threw in five each for the wards of coach Obet Javier in a massive victory against one of the UAAP’s powerhouse teams.

“Naglaro lang po kami nang buo. Tsaka kailangan po namin manalo kaya naglaro kami as a team talaga. Mas gagalingan pa po namin next games,” said Padillon.

Earlier, Faida Bakanke and Gerzel Petallo connived as the Lady Tamaraws swept the Lady Falcons to snatch the top seed in Pool F.

Bakanke fired 11 points on nine hits, a block and an ace while Petallo had all her points on 10 attacks highlighted by the game-clinching hammer.

“Naniwala lang po ako na mananalo kami. Doon po nag-start ‘yung confidence ko. Magtiwala lang sa sarili at sa team,” said Petallo.

With little to no break, Arellano eyes to get a run going against Santo Tomas today as FEU takes on NCAA champion College of St. Benilde next week.

Ateneo (2-2) clashes next against will champion NU next Saturday while Adamson (3-1) battles UE, also next week.