V-League: DLSU-Dasmarinas and Adamson emerge victorious in their season openers

(Updated 8:58pm) The De La Salle Dasmarinas Lady Patriots and the Adamson Lady Falcons emerged victorious their season openers in the second day of the Shakey's V-League, Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

In the first game, newcomers De La Salle Dasmarinas Lady Patriots defeated NCAA-side Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights, 25-14, 25-21, 25-21.

The Lady Patriots started the first set with a bit of rust, as they fell to a quick 1-6 deficit. On the other side, the Lady Knights were on pace to win the set, due to their opponent's unforced errors. But the Lady Patriots' sudden aggressiveness in challenging the Lady Knight’s blockers changed the momentum of the set.

Led by guest player Jennifer Manzano, La Salle Dasmarinas changed the game's complexion by racking up an 11-5 scoring run, to get their first lead at 12-11. The blocking and scoring exhibition displayed by Manzano and Justine Navidad were simply too much to handle for Letran, as the Lady Patriots flipped the script, and delivered a 25-14 beating.                                               

De La Salle Dasmarinas continued to stoke their red-hot offense with a quick 8-4 start in the second. Key players such as Cherry Rose Nunag, Monique Tiangco and Lari Yongco provided the spark the Lady Patriots needed to propel them to match point, 24-15.

Despite trailing by such a large margin, Letran Lady Knight Queennie Mondejar’s service game led the Lady Knights to a 6-0 scoring run, to cut their deficit to three at 24-21. La Salle was able to keep their composure though, as they eventually found a weak spot in the Letran defense, to escape with a 25-21 second set win.

The third set of the match featured veteran moves by guest setter Chie Saet. With Letran acting with a greater sense of urgency, to lead early in the set, Saet was able to give the Lady Patriots the advantage at 7-6. At that point, La Salle did not look back as they let loose their various attacks, balancing them with varied tips and attacks to give them the win at 25-21.

All-in-all, Saet provided the Lady Patriots with 27 excellent sets.


Game two saw UAAP veterans Adamson Lady Falcons overpower the Cebu-based University of San Carlos Warriors in three sets, 25-13, 25-22, 25-21.

Adamson started the first set with an explosive 5-0 scoring run led by team captains Pau Soriano and Shiela Pineda. The Warriors meanwhile piled up their unforced errors, as they had difficulty in receiving the Lady Falcon’s serves. The Lady Falcons were in command the whole set, as every attack they would line up would somehow fly to the stands, to much of the crowd’s delight. They handed a blowout loss to the Warriors, 25-13.

The Lady Falcons kicked the second set off in a similar fashion as the first, erupting to a quick 8-4 lead by the first technical time out. The USC Warriors however would make a comeback, as they trimmed the lead down to one at 16-15, care of the Falcon’s unforced errors and miscommunication on the court.

Soriano however would take care of the surging Warriors, as she led the Falcons with her attacks and wall-like blocking to give Adamson the set at 25-22.

Power hitter Mayette Zapanta only entered the match in the third set and her presence was immediately felt. Despite the USC Warriors making a little push to give themselves a 9-8 lead, the Lady Falcons showed everyone why they’re a force to be reckoned with, as thunderous spikes from Zapanta and Amanda Villanueva fired up the crowd. Adamson would finish things off with an emphatic block by Zapanta, 25-21.

The Lady Patriots and Lady Falcons joined opening-day winners Ateneo and NU at the top of the standings, while UST and Arellano found company in Letran and USC as teams with a loss to start the tourney. - CLP/AMD, GMA News