Lady Eagles turn back Creamline
Volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez of the Creamline Cool Smashers blocks the ball during their goodwill game against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Blue Eagles last night at the University of San Jose Recoletos-Basak campus gymnasium. Joy Torrejos
CEBU, Philippines — The gutsy Ateneo de Manila University Lady Blue Eagles battled from a two-set deficit as they staged an upset against the Creamline Cool Smashers in a five-setter thriller in Day 1 of their goodwill games last night at the University of San Jose Recoletos- Basak campus gym.
Against a more experienced opponents, the Lady Eagles showed determination as they fought back and rallied en route to a 15-13 victory in the fifth set powered by Cebuana Deanna Wong and Maddie Madayag.
Creamline, one of the successful team in the Premier Volleyball League, immediately showed dominance by taking the first and second set. Led by superstar Alyssa Valdez, Creamline snatched a 25-22 win in the first set, followed by a lopsided 25-16 in the following set.
But Ateneo spikers were determined to pull off a huge victory in front of Cebuano fans as they bounced back in the third set through the efforts of Madayag, Jules Samonte and Pauline Gaston. The younger Lady Eagles then forced a deciding set as they stormed the fourth set, 25-20.
Creamline vowed to score a sweet revenge today as they clash with Ateneo anew.
Earlier, the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma outgunned the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), 25-22, 25-20, 22-25,25-21 in the preliminary game. (FREEMAN)
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