MANILA, Philippines -- Arellano U survived a furious Ateneo fightback as it escaped with a shock 21-25, 25-16, 17-25, 25-20, 15-13 victory to grab the solo lead in Group A with two wins in the Shakey's V-League Season 11-1st Conference at The Arena in San Juan City Sunday night.
Danna Henson and Christine Joy Rosario fired 14 apiece the bulk of which came in the fifth and final set where the Lady Chiefs weathered a late comeback to seal their second straight triumph.
The Lady Eagles, the reigning UAAP champions and the heavy favorites to contend for the title here, couldn't live up to hype as they fell to their first defeat in two starts.
Alyssa Valdez, the reigning UAAP MVP, led all scorers with 20 hits including some in the final set when the Loyola-based lady spikers battled their way back from a six-point deficit and even snatched a 13-12 lead.
But Ateneo lost steam in the end as a short Valdez kill, a net interference and a powerful Henson spike sealed its doom.