Lady Eagles humble Cool Smashers

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo-Motolite overcame Alyssa Valdez’s inspired play as it exacted revenge on first round tormentor Creamline, 25-18, 25-20, 15-25, 23-25, 15-12, to seize the first spot from its opponent in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Batangas City Coliseum Sunday night.

Valdez drew thunderous roars from her home province as she powered the Cool Smashers late in the fourth and in the fifth for a 12-10 edge, but her two costly errors down the stretch opened up an opportunity for the Lady Eagles to seal the victory on a kill block by rookie Vanessa Gandler on her attack attempt.

Ateneo-Motolite thus avenged its setback to Creamline a week ago with key players Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag and Ponggay Gaston back in action.

The trio missed their first round meeting with the Cool Smashers in Baliuag, Bulacan as they fulfilled a school commitment.

“We already know how Ate Ly (Valdez) is. She’s really, really great in her own right. Pagdating sa court, kailangan namin isiping kahit si Ate Ly ‘yan, kaya namin ‘to. Not as, ‘Hindi, wala ‘yan’ pero ‘yung respect namin sa kanya,  ‘yun ang nagmu-motivate sa amin na kaya rin namin ‘to,” said Lady Eagles skipper Bea de Leon.