Ateneo smashes St. Benilde, enter QF

MANILA, Philippines -- UAAP titlist Ateneo shrugged the rest off a long break as it smashed St. Benilde, 25-15, 25-19, 25-20, Sunday to barge into the quarterfinals of the Shakey's V-League Season 11-1st Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Alyssa Valdez, the most popular player in the country right now, shone the brightest as she uncorked 13 hits, 11 coming off attacks and two off service aces as the Lady Eagles nailed their third win in four outings, good enough to advance to the next phase.

There, the Loyola-based lady spikers will join fellow Group A teams Arellano U (4-1) and Adamson (3-1).

The Lady Blazers, the NCAA runners up, fell to their second defeat against a win.