V-League: Lady Falcons turn back Arellano in five sets

MANILA, Philippines – Adamson University bounced back from two sets down and dealt Arellano University its first defeat of the season, 17-25, 24-26, 25-14, 25-19, 15-11, in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference, Thursday, April 10, at the Filoil Flying-V Arena in San Juan City.

Bang Pineda and Pau Soriano delivered the goods as the Lady Falcons needed all five sets to nip the previously unbeaten Lady Chiefs and thwart the Sampaloc-based squad’s aspirations of sweeping Group A in the preliminaries.

Adamson relied on two of their brightest stars in the past years as Pineda scattered 21 points, with Soriano adding 18 markers of her own, to propel their squad to a 3-1 record and clinch solo second in the standings.

Arellano, who previously edged reigning UAAP champions Ateneo in five sets earlier in the eliminations, saw their 4-game winning streak end as they blew a huge two-set lead and collapsed under the pressure of Adamson’s relentless attacks.

The Lady Chiefs put on a searing start as they claimed the first two sets, 25-17 and 26-24, but their 33 errors proved hurtful as Adamson surged back into the game and snatched the win after five sets.

The Lady Falcons breezed through sets 3 and 4 to restore parity and send the game into a deciding fifth set. Arellano tried to salvage the win pushing the San Marcelino crew to the edge and clinching a 9-6 fifth set lead.

The two-time V-League best blocker Soriano then took over as she did not let Adamson’s comeback put to waste, scoring the telling blows in crunch time to close the game with a 9-2 bomb.

Adamson’s seasoned Thai guest player Patcharee Sangmuang also added 15 points while Mandy Villanueva finished with nine. Pineda also pitched in her efforts on the defensive end with 17 digs while May Macatuno also had a great outing finishing with 34 excellent sets.

Backing Henson’s team-high production are Menchie Tubiera who tallied in 17 and Christine Joy Rosario who contributed 10.

Despite the loss, the Lady Chiefs are still perched on top of Group A at 4-1.

Adamson, on the other hand, will try to share the number one slot when they face College of St. Benilde in the last day of the preliminaries on April 27.

Scores:

Adamson – Pineda 21, Soriano 18, Sangmuang 15, Villanueva 9, Macatuno 4, Paat 2, Cortel 2, Alkuino 2

Arellano – Henson 21, Tubiera 17, Rosario 10, Sagun 9, Salamagos 5, Legacion 5, Prado 1

Scores by set:

17-25, 24-26, 25-14. 25-19, 15-11

– Rappler.com