Valdez explodes for 30 as Ateneo survives Adamson in 5 sets

MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Lady Eagles came close to seeing their undefeated record suffer its first blemish. Yet, just like what defending champions are supposed to do, they managed to pull out a victory late in the game and retained their spot atop the league standings.

And they had a lot of help from Alyssa Valdez in doing so.

The reigning league MVP went off for a season-high 30 points, leading her team, now 9-0, past the pesky Adamson Soaring Falcons, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 22-25, 15-10, on Wednesday evening, January 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

In addition to her high-scoring afternoon, Valdez also recorded 14 digs, all of which essential with ADMU starting libero Denden Lazaro nursing and playing through a sore hamstring.  

(RELATED: UST beats NU in straight sets to win third straight)

Ella De Jesus and Amy Ahomiro each scored in double-figures, putting up 12 points apiece. Rookie stud Bea De Leo put up 9 points.

“They always give us a good fight since nag-start ako malaro nang (I started playing) collegiate volleyball,” Valdez told the media after the game.  

Ateneo had more spike points, 62-47, but committed 33 errors that helped Adamson take them to five sets. 

Wednesday’s game was the third time this season the Lady Eagles needed five sets to beat an opponent (UP and DLSU). 

Ateneo excelled in the digs battle, outscoring Adamson 51-42. 

A multitude of late errors from Adamson allowed Ateneo to take set one. But the tables were reversed in the following set, as miscues from the Lady Eagles allowed the Lady Falcons to build an early 9-4 lead that led to an easy win. 

Ateneo quickly established a threshold in set three, scoring 20 of the first 27 points en route to a 2-1 sets lead. Late in set four, Adamson was up 21-16 before an ADMU rally – capped off by scores from Ahomiro and De Leon – tied the contest.

Consecutive errors from Ahimoro and Valdez, who failed at a drop point attempt, put their opponents back up by two. After both clubs exchanged conversions, another error by the Lady Eagles – bringing their total in the fourth set up to 12 – yielded a deciding fifth period.

Neither club was willing to succumb in the final set, as no team led by more than one until the defending champions went up 11-9. But from there on out, strong defense from the Lady Eagles flustered the Lady Falcons’ offense, leading to errors that sealed the win for Ateneo.

Jessica Galanza top-scored for Adamson with 17 points, while Amanda Villanueva wasn’t far behind with 16 markers. Mylene Paat put up 15, while Erica Alkuino scored 7.

Ateneo will look to improve their record to 10-0 on Saturday, January 31, as they go head to head with the Kathy Bersola-less UP Lady Maroons (4-5). 

Adamson (3-6) can bounce back on Sunday, February 1, against the still winless UE Lady Warriors (0-9).

– Rappler.com