Games Sunday:
(Filoil Flying V Arena)
2 p.m. – NU vs USLS (3rd Place)
Awarding Ceremonies
4 p.m. – AdU vs ADMU (Finals, Game 1)

ON their third semifinal round meeting, the result was the same: Ateneo winning over National University.

The Lady Eagles reasserted their mastery of Lady Bulldogs, winning 25-21, 25-23, 25-20, to make their first championship appearance in four years in the in the Shakey’s V-League first conference at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Ateneo will face Adamson in the best-of-three championship starting Sunday..

This will be the second meeting for the crown between the Lady Eagles and the Lady Falcons, the first coming in the 2008 first conference, with Adamson winning via a two-game sweep.

“We are very much excited.   This is very good for the kids also para ma-feel din nila ang passion of playing, the excitement, intensity of the game and to showcase what they can do as youngsters,” said Ateneo coach Charo Soriano.

The 25-year old Soriano was a part of the Lady Eagles team whichfinished second behind the Lady Falcons.

Ateneo won the best-of-three semifinals series, 2-1, with the first win coming due due to a technicality.

Thai import Lithawat Kesinee had 18 hits, including four blocks, while guest player Alyssa Valdez and Fille Cainglet added 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the Lady Eagles. 

Despite falling short in their bid for a breakthrough championship stint, NU coach Francis Vicente was still satisfied about his team’s performance.

“Masaya ako kahit natalo kami.  Hindi namin habol ang kaagad na makapasok sa finals kasi matagal pang mangyayari iyon at masyadong bata ang team,” said Vicente.

Cai Nepomuceno was the lone Lady Bulldogs player in double figures with 12 points.

Playing with a lot of energy, NU was able to slug it out with Ateneo, but Kesinee used his vast experience to the hilt, especially when the going got tough.

As the Lady Bulldogs moved closer to 22-23 after Dindin Santiago blocked Cainglet’s hit, Kesinee unloaded a powerful hit for the Lady Eagles to move closer to match point, 24-22.

Cainglet then bucked Ria Sante and Santiago’s defense at the net with a kill which sealed Ateneo’s victory.

NU scored 11 blocks, with four coming from Santiago and Sante.