IN WHAT was supposed to be a thrilling rematch of Season 70’s Final Four, the Ateneo Lady Spikers ended their breakthrough season in similar fashion to last year’s finish as they bowed to top-seeded Adamson University in a best-of-three series, 2-0.
After grinding it out in the decisive semifinals game against Lyceum in a 18-25, 20-25, 27-25, 25-20, 15-9 come-from-behind victory, Ateneo had pulled off one of the most thrilling comebacks in Shakey’s V-League history, setting up a date with Adamson in the finals.
Despite establishing yet another feat by making their first trip to the Shakey’s V-League finals, the Lady Spikers were outlasted by their blue counterparts in a 17-25, 13-25, 17-25 Game 2 loss at The Arena in San Juan last May 30.
Making their way to Game 2, the team had hoped to extend their series to a decisive third game. Behind Thai-import Em-orn Phanusit and Captain Ma. Rosario Soriano (MBA), the Lady Eagles showed resilience from the beginning as they kept it close at 14-17 in the second set, until another offensive explosion from Adamson’s Neriza Bautista, who garnered the Most Valuable Player awards for both overall and finals categories, set the tone of the game.
Feeding off from momentum gained in the previous set, the Lady Falcons stormed the gates as they came out with an 11-3 lead that would never be relinquished.
Phanusit finished the game with 11 points attributed to her 10 kills in the game. Soriano added eight points for the Lady Spikers, whose second place finish was no doubt their best in three seasons in the league.
Flashback
The team failed to capitalize on their first game last May 27 against the Lady Falcons as they drew first blood in a 25-7, 25-14, 23-25, 25-22 victory that featured a furious rally led by Soriano and Misha Quimpo (III BS CTM), staving off elimination in the third set.
The Eagles continued their dominating performance as they started leading the fourth set 16-10 until the Falcons regained their poise together with the lead scoring the 11 of the next 15 points en route to a pivotal 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Bittersweet complements
The afternoon eventually ended with much to look forward to for the team in blue as their Soriano garnered both the Best Blocker and Most Improved Player awards. And although Soriano, along with fellow veterans Karla Bello (MBA) and Patti Taganas (MBA) won’t be coming back for the Ateneo Volleybelles in Season 71, Kara Acevedo (II BS Mgt) points out, “[you can expect] a lot of improvements. [The team is] pretty much still strong and competitive despite losing three of our main players.”
“I expect the team to do better than last season especially with the addition of the rookies,” veteran Taganas added.
“I [know] the remaining veterans [will] continue what we’ve already started and lead the team to a better UAAP finish.”
