V-League: Ateneo defeats Adamson as Ahomiro, Morente aid Valdez

 

The freshly crowned champions of the 76th season of the UAAP, the Ateneo Lady Eagles, opened their campaign at the 11th Shakey’s V-League with a four-set win against the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-19 18-25 25-23 26-24, Sunday, at the Fil Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Ateneo relied on Alyssa Valdez early on the set as she displayed the offensive skill-set that garnered her multiple awards in the recently concluded UAAP. Adamson however had enough weapons on their artillery to answer Valdez’s attacks. The Lady Falcons inched out a one point lead by the first technical time out at 8-7 care of crisp Mylene Paat front-row kill.

The Lady Eagles managed to retaliate and carry a comfortable cushion care of Amy Ahomiro’s efficiency from the service zone. With various miscommunications on the floor for Adamson, Ateneo’s lead bubbled at 18-13.

Adamson reduced the deficit with the offensive spark from their guest player and former Lady Falcon standout, Pau Soriano. The cohesiveness of Ateneo, however, proved to be too much for Adamson as last year’s V-League finalists nagged the opening set at 25-19.

The second set displayed adjustments from the Adamson squad as Paat and guest player Pacharee Sangmuang took charge of the offense. With key contributions from scoring specialist Shiela Pineda, the Lady Falcons tallied a five-point lead at 15-10. The Lady Falcons cruised through easily the second set with the score of 25-18.
 
Their momentum carried over the third set as they mounted an immediate 8-3 advantage. They were able to sustain it at 15-10, before Ahomiro let loose a barrage of service aces that brought an abrupt boost of energy to the crowd.

Ateneo then took the lead at 17-16. Pineda and Soriano held on for Adamson, but unfortunately for the San Marcelino squad, Aerieal Patnongon and Ahomiro’s presence prevented any additional offense for the Lady Falcons. Ateneo completed the comeback with the score of 25-23.

The fourth set boiled down to a back and forth affair. Ateneo established a 22-19 lead before the ever-reliable, Pineda, tied the set at 22-all. Patnongon denied Pineda with a well-timed block on the next play before she made up for it with a kill.

Pineda’s relentlessness extended the set at a 24-all deadlock before Morente and Ella de Jesus finished the match at 26-24.

Although Adamson prevailed in points won via attacks column with a 51-45 differential, Ateneo tallied the 13-8 lead in terms of blocks.

Adamson’s Pau Soriano scored 19 to lead her team in a losing effort. Their guest player, Pacharee Sangmuang contributed 17 while Shiela Pineda notched 16.

Alyssa Valdez finished the match with a game-high 23 points, followed by 16 from Amy Ahomiro, who also led the match with 7 service aces. The rookie, Michelle Morente, notched 14 and was accompanied by Ella de Jesus’ six. - RAF, GMA News