V-League: Ateneo sweeps Perpetual to clinch first finals berth

Defending champion Ateneo repeated over University of Perpetual Help, 25-23, 25-11, 25-23, to clinch the first finals berth in the Shakey's V-League Season 9 first conference on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City. Thai guest player Lithawat Kesinee finished with 17 points and six blocks as the Lady Eagles clinched their 10th straight win, dating back from the elimination round and the quarterfinal phase. The Katipunan-based spikers had a tough time dispatching the Lady Altas in the opener of their best-of-three semifinals series, 31-29, 25-20, 25-19. This time, however, the Lady Eagles imposed their will early and played tough defense twice in the clutch to complete the straight-sets win. Fille Cainglet added eight hits while Jorella de Jesus, who once again came off the bench, and scored six points in the second set for the Lady Eagles. April Sartin turned in a 13-point performance for the reigning NCAA champions but Thai reinforcement Pornpinol Kunbang struggled in the face of the Lady Eagles' superb net defense and scored just seven points. — JVP, GMA News