Lady Eagles remain unscathed; LS Spikers claim twice-to-beat

MANILA, Philippines - Alyssa Valdez put on another dominating performance as Ateneo held off a tough Far Eastern U side, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23, to stretch its win run to 11 in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The power-hitting Valdez rammed in 21 kills for a 23-hit output, helping frustrate the Lady Tams in all three sets while moving the Lady Eagles within three wins from sweeping the double-round elims.

In the other game, La Salle overpowered UST, 25-21, 25-9, 25-18, to claim the other twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.

The Lady Spikers, who stayed just a game behind the Lady Eagles with a 10-1 mark, also snapped the Tigresses’ four-game streak but kept the Espana-based squad at third with a 5-6 slate.

Ateneo will next face third-running UST on Feb. 11 at the MOA Arena then tangles with winless UE on Feb. 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum before facing arch rival La Salle on Feb. 22, also at the Big Dome.

A sweep will send the defending champion Lady Eagles straight to the finals with an imposing “thrice-to-beat” advantage.

One loss, however, will pave the way for the Final Four with the top two teams after the elims gaining twice-to-beat edges.

FEU dropped to seventh at 4-7.

In men’s play, La Salle pulled the rug from under Peter Torres and defending champion National University with a shock 26-24, 25-19, 25-22 triumph while FEU downed Adamson, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-23.