Lady Eagles clip Cobras

Ateneo held off a rallying Southwestern U side in the third set to complete a 25- 13, 25- 18, 25- 20 victory and zero in on a quarterfinal berth in Group A in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference before a big Sunday crowd at The Arena in San Juan.

With top hitter Alyssa Valdez given a rest in the third set, Amy Ahomiro took over and fired 13 points while the rest foiled the Lady Cobras’ series of attacks with 29 excellent digs, putting the reigning UAAP champions in step with the Adamson Lady Falcons at second at 2-1 behind the Arellano U Lady Chiefs’ 3-0 card.

Coach Parley Tupas saw no need to use Valdez in the third after the Lady Eagles swept the first two sets in emphatic fashion with Ahomiro and the rest finishing off the Lady Cobras in one hour and four minutes.

Valdez wound up with seven points while Ahomiro, who also a had four blocks, drew solid backing from Miren Gequillana and Michelle Morente, who both delivered nine hits, Jhonna Maraginot, who had five, and Bea De Leon, who chipped in four points.

The loss was the third straight for the Lady Cobras after nipping the St. Louis Lady Navigators in five in the inaugurals two weeks ago, booting the Cebu champions out of the quarters race in the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa, Accel and Lion Tiger Mosquito Coil.

SWU struggled in the face of Ateneo’s superb net defense and floor coverage with Loida Abellana’s topscoring with just four hits. Nine others, however, scored for the Lady Cobras, including Janelle Cabahug, Karen Derder and Marlyn Llagoso, who each had three points.

Ateneo dominated the net in the early going and went on to produce 38 attacks, doubling SWU’s paltry 19- kill effort, while coming away with five blocks as against its rival’s one courtesy of guest player Lutgarda Malaluan.