THE ATENEO-MOTOLITE Lady Eagles dominated the Pocari-Air Force Lady Warriors in straight sets, 27-25, 25-21, 25-21, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference on Saturday, October 27, at the Imus Sports Complex in Bacoor, Cavite. The Lady Eagles now sit at a win-loss record of 6-2 for the season.
Lady Eagles Head Coach Oliver Almadro fielded a starting lineup featuring Bea De Leon, Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino, Vanie Gandler, Ponggay Gaston, Deanna Wong, and Dani Ravena at libero. Jules Samonte and Bela Peralta were substituted in during the second and third sets while Jaja Maraguinot and Kim Gequillana were both given playing time in the first two sets.
Tolentino and De Leon both scored 12 points with the latter racking up three points from the service line. Wong was an important cog in the Ateneo defense, notching 13 excellent digs. Pocari-Air Force surrendered 30 points to unforced errors.
An exciting first set had the scores tied at 25-25. The subsequent rally was a long one with the Lady Warriors’ attacks rebounding off Ateneo’s blocks four times before Gandler scored with an off-the-block kill, 26-25. With the momentum on their side, the Lady Eagles were able to close out an exciting first set, 27-25.
[1st set]
The Lady Eagles take the first set after an exciting deuce!
Ateneo 27 POC 25#PVL
— Ally Crespo (@Ally_TheGUIDON) October 27, 2018
An early 6-2 run put the Blue and White ahead by four in the second set. Stellar offensive play forced the timeout, 11-7, in favor of the Lady Eagles. Pocari-Air Force answered back with a 7-2 run to steal the lead, 13-14. Later in the set, an 8-3 scoring run capped off by an attack error by Pocari gave the Lady Eagles the second set, 25-21.
[2nd set]
The Lady Eagles complete an 8-3 run to close out the second set!
Ateneo 25 POC 21#PVL
— Ally Crespo (@Ally_TheGUIDON) October 27, 2018
The early stages of the third set saw both teams trade runs with the Lady Warriors doing just enough to maintain their lead for most of the set. A cross-court kill by Gaston sparked a 6-0 scoring for the Katipunan-based team. An illegal back row attack by Myla Pablo surrendered the match to the Lady Eagles, 25-21.
[3rd set]
Pocari gives up crucial points that allow the Lady Eagles to finish the match!
Ateneo 25 POC 21#PVL
— Ally Crespo (@Ally_TheGUIDON) October 27, 2018
The next match for the Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles against the Creamline Cool Smashers at 6:00 PM, on Sunday, October 28 in the Batangas City Coliseum in Batangas City.
Set Score
Ateneo-POC: 27-25, 25-21, 25-21
Box Scores
Ateneo: Tolentino – 12, De Leon – 12, Madayag – 6, Gandler – 6, Gaston – 6, Wong –3, Samonte – 2,
POC: Pablo – 15, Panaga – 8, Palomata – 8, Yongco – 7, Kasilag – 3, Semana – 2, Pantino – 2, Semana – 2, Cases – 2