THE ATENEO-MOTOLITE Lady Eagles defeat the BanKo Perlas Spikers (BKP) in straight sets, 25-21, 25-20, 26-24, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference Semifinals on Saturday, December 1, at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

Lady Eagles Head Coach Oliver Almadro fielded the same starting lineup as their last game with Bea De Leon, Maddie Madayag, Ponggay Gaston, Vanie Gandler, Kat Tolentino, Deanna Wong, and Kim Gequillana at libero. Dani Ravena checked in for Gequillana at the first and third sets while Jules Samonte was utilized heavily on the final set. Jaja Maraguinot and Erika Raagas were given the opportunity to close out the game in the latter parts of the match but Coach Almadro brought his veterans back in the following rally.

Gaston was Ateneo’s top scorer for this game, scoring 11 points while contributing 10 excellent receives. Meanwhile, Tolentino was a strong defensive presence at the net with three blocks while De Leon recorded two denials of her own. Despite both teams having an identical count of 39 spikes, the Lady Eagles had a success rate of 31.2% while the Perlas Spikers were held to a rate of just 29.8%.

The first set started off a tight battle until a service error heading into the first technical timeout (TTO) put the Katipunan-based squad ahead by two, 8-6. An attack error by Madayag on the running hit tied the score at 10-10, but a service error by Wong before the second TTO put the Perlas Spikers up by two, 14-16.

In a quick turnaround, a 7-0 run led by De Leon at the service line put the Lady Eagles two points shy of taking the set, 23-17. The Perlas Spikers tried to rally back but it was too little too late as a block on Suzanne Roces won the set for the Blue and White, 25-21.

The two teams traded runs to start the set until an off-the-block kill by Gandler gave her team the lead at the first TTO, 8-7. Another exchange of runs ensued, and another kill off the block by Gandler put the Lady Eagles on top at the second TTO, 16-15. A 4-0 run at the latter part of the set put the Katipunan-based side in a similar situation to the first set, 23-18. It was a poor dig on the first ball by BKP that conceded set point, 25-20.

The Perlas Spikers began the third set well as they led by four at the first TTO, 4-8, only for a Gaston service ace to tie the score later on, 10-10. The battle for the third set was tight but the Lady Eagles were able to set themselves up for match point off a wide attack by Nicole Tiamzon, 24-22.

However, the Perlas Spikers forced a deuce thanks to a kill by Roma Doromal, 24-24. In a nervy finish, the Lady Eagles put an end to an exciting match with a block by Tolentino on Dzi Gervacio, 26-24.

“No matter what, sino kaharap, just be brave and courageous in everything you do,” were the words that Head Coach Oliver Almadro told his girls as they faced a strong veteran team.

The Lady Eagles and the Perlas Spikers will be looking to set up a Finals meeting against the Creamline Cool Smashers when they face off in a do-or-die game 3 on Sunday, December 2 at the same venue.

Set Score

Ateneo-BKP: 25-21, 25-20, 26-24

Box Scores

Ateneo: Gaston – 11, Tolentino – 10, De Leon – 8, Madayag – 7, Gandler – 7, Wong – 5, Samonte – 3

BKP: Gervacio – 14, Roces – 9, Tiamzon – 8, Bersola – 6, Devanadera – 3, Ahomiro – 2, Dacoron – 1, Doromal – 1, Ferrer – 1, Emnas – 1