Lady Falcons stun Eagles

MANILA, Philippines - Pau Soriano and Sheila Pineda took charge in the decider as Adamson overcame Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez’s record-breaking performance with a 25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 16-25, 15-10 win to gain a share of third in the UAAP Season 75 women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan last Sunday.

The Lady Falcons proved steadier down the stretch with Soriano coming up with a kill and Pineda scored back-to-back service aces to clinch the victory, their third straight win for a 5-3 slate.

Adamson thus tied University of Santo Tomas at third while dealing Ateneo its second straight defeat after sweeping its first six matches.

Ateneo’s loss likewise kept defending champion La Salle in the solo lead at 7-1.

Earlier, Marie Toni Basas continued her splendid play as Far Eastern University opened its second round campaign with a 25-14, 25-22, 25-15 win over University of the East.

Pineda finished with 19 points, including four service winners, and six digs while Mayette Zapanta added 15 points and Soriano had 14 for Adamson.

Working double time in the absence injured hitter Fille Cainglet, Valdez banged in 35 hits, surpassing the league-record 33 hits recorded by Angela Benting of the Lady Falcons in a 25-22, 16-25, 25-27, 23-25 second round eliminations loss to the Tigresses on Feb. 14, 2009.

 Starter Ella de Jesus also had a career game, finishing with 15 hits but it was not enough for the Lady Eagles to rebound from their heartbreaking five-set loss to the Lady Archers.

In football, Ateneo beat defending champion UP, 2-1, to regain the lead at the Erenchun field in Ateneo campus.

Leo Liay scored on the 27th minute to give Ateneo the early lead but Gabriel Mendoza countered on the 32nd to tie the count.

However, UP’s Deo Segunial accidentally hit an own goal, giving Ateneo a 2-1 lead in the 66th for the victory.