V-League: Ateneo remains undefeated, Arellano drops debuting Perpetual

(Updated 7:36pm) The Ateneo Lady Eagles continued to soar, while the Arellano Lady Chiefs recovered from a third-set stumble, to win separate matches Tuesday, in the Shakey's V-League action, Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan. Ateneo remained undefeated as they defeated the Letran Lady Knights in three sets, 25-17, 25-16, 25-17, improving to 3-0. CSJL on the other hand stayed without a win after two outings The Lady Eagles started the match in full form, care of the expected outputs from Jem Ferrer, Alyssa Valdez and Fille Cainglet, as the experienced Ateneo team built a quick 8-5 lead by the first technical time out of the set. With excellent performances from Bea Tan, filling in for the starting libero role, and the ever-consistent Marge Tejada, Ateneo extended their lead to ten at 17-7. From that point on, the Lady Eagles were too much to handle for the Lady Knights, as Ateneo cruised to take the first set. Despite the first set beating Letran received, guest player Patcharee Sangmuang continued her aggressiveness, to cool down the red-hot Ateneo offense. However, the Lady Knights' offense dissipated versus the Ateneo defense, as the girls in Blue and White raced to a large 10-2 advantage. With Rachel Anne Daquis lining up her usual spiking skills, the Ateneo lead ballooned to 16-4, and with the efforts of Mae Tajima, Ella De Jesus, Gizelle Tan and Jirah Llaneta leading the way, the Lady Eagles snapped up the second. Ateneo was in full control entering the third set, as Valdez varied her attacks from drop shots, to cross-court spikes. Despite the hard-hitting action displayed by Sangmuang and Melissa Cu, the Lady Knights still were not able to contain their unforced errors. With the Lady Eagles going with a tall line-up, featuring Tajima and Amy Ahomiro, Ateneo controlled the pace of the set, as they finished with the win at 25-17. The second match of the day featured the defending NCAA champions, University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas, losing their first match of the season, falling at the hands of league rivals Arellano Lady Chiefs in four sets, 25-18, 25-19, 25-27, 26-24. ?? The Lady Altas started the first set rusty as they had no answer to Arellano’s offensive game. Led by MJ Balse and Elaine Sagun, the Lady Chiefs immediately raised their lead to twelve at 20-8.  Despite an 8-2 scoring run by the Lady Altas, Danna Henson and guest player Nene Bautista were too consistent for Perpetual Help, as Arellano grabbed the first set at 25-18. The second set started with the same situation for the Lady Altas, as they found themselves trailing early at 8-3. Mary Jane Ticar game remained consistent in her service game as Arellano capitalized on their opponents' weak receptions. With the presence of the towering Shirly Salamagos and the aggressive Bautista, the Lady Chiefs were able to maintain their lead at 16-8 by the second technical timeout. Despite the efforts of Joy Cases and April Sartin, the Lady Chiefs remained calm and composed, en route to a 25-19 win in the second set. Down to sets to none, the Lady Altas made sure that they would take control of the third, as they erupted to a 9-3 start. Despite the 7-2 scoring run of the Lady Chiefs to get within a point, 11-10, the Lady Altas were still able to keep their lead alive with offensive prowess of Norie Jane Diaz, making it 17-11. Arellano stopped at nothing in their attempt to finish this off in three sets, as Balse and Bautista led the Lady Chiefs to another scoring run, forging a 21-all deadlock. Both teams swapped scoring opportunities back-and-forth, but the Lady Altas eventually emerged victorious in the extended set at 27-25. With the momentum now on their side, the Lady Altas were able to take a five-point advantage at 13-8 in the fourth set. With the attacks coming from Cases, Diaz and Honey Tubino, the University of Perpetual Help were able to establish a proper rhythm in the game. However, as the previous sets showed, the Arellano Lady Chiefs stayed tenacious, pulling off another scoring run to tie the set at 15-all. Their ferocious spikes pierced through the Lady Altas’ blocking, and propelled the Lady Chiefs to the lead at 17-15.   With a crucial service error by the Lady Altas, followed up by a service ace by the Lady Chiefs on the next play, Arellano found themselves at match point, 24-20. However, Perpetual's true NCAA championship experience emerged, fighting back to tie the set at 24-all. Fortunately for the Arellano Lady Chiefs, the University of Perpetual Help ran out of gas as the match ended at 26-24. Diane Ticar played consistent throughout the match as her 21 excellent sets facilitated the Lady Chiefs’ 159 attempts for their big win against the Lady Altas. - AMD, GMA News Scores: Game one - Ateneo - Daquis 13, Cainglet 13, Valdez 8, Tejada 8,  Tajima 4, De Jesus 4, Ahomiro 3, Ferrer 2, Llaneta 2, Patnongon 1 Letran – Sangmuang 16, Cu 8, Ogana 3, Mondejar 2, Lopez 2, Villas 1, Pablo 1 Game two - Arellano – Bautista 19, Balse 19, Sagun 13, Salamagos 10, Henson 9, Ticar 3 Perpetual – Cases 14, Tubino 12, Sartin 12, Diaz 9, Dela Paz 5, Diocarez 2, Argarin 1 The Ateneo vs Letran game will be aired Wednesday, following the Adamson vs USC match at 1pm, with the Arellano versus Perpetual game on Thursday, also at 1pm, on GMA News TV.