Lady Eagles, Lady Chiefs smother rivals

Games Sunday
8 a.m. – Letran vs San Beda
10 a.m. – St. Benilde vs UST
12 noon – TIP vs FEU
 
MANILA, Philippines — Reigning UAAP champ Ateneo used its depth to overwhelm San Sebastian College in three while NCAA titlist Arellano bucked a depleted roster to repulse Lyceum of the Philippines University in four as they kept the lead in their respective groups in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan Saturday.

Rookie Faith Nisperos followed up her explosive 19-hit effort against the Letran Lady Knights with a 15-point showing on 11 attacks and four aces while Ponggay Gaston backed her up with 10 markers after missing their opening game as the Lady Eagles romped off with a 25-17, 25-17, 25-8 victory for a 2-0 card in Pool A.

Playmaker Jaja Maraguinot tallied 20 excellent sets to anchor the Lady Eagles’ 35 attack points and finished with seven markers with coach Oliver Almadro giving her young wards the chance to show their wares in their 67-minute triumph.

“Everything is a learning process. You just have to keep on learning and learning. We really have to maximize our players to achieve cohesiveness,” said Almadro. “We know that our team is basically young, mostly are sophomores and freshmen so we need to develop trust on each other.”
SSC fell to 0-2.

Earlier, the short-handed Lady Chiefs turned back the LPU Lady Pirates, 25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-21, for back-to-back wins in Pool B.

The three-time NCAA champs Lady Chiefs played without top hitter Regine Arocha (ankle injury), Carla Donato (hand injury), Jehan Hussain (knee injury) and backup setter Donnalyn Paralejas (allergy). But reigning NCAA MVP Necole Ebuen took charge and fired 22 points with all but one coming off attacks.

She added seven digs to cap her superb all-around effort while Risa Joy Batindaan had nine markers and Sarah Verutiao dished out 26 excellent sets and added four markers for the Lady Chiefs, who bounced back strong from a second defeat to deal the Lady Pirates their second straight loss.

Ciamelle Wanta led LPU with 14 points while Joan Doguna chipped in 11 markers.