Games Thursday
(The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. — FEU vs SSC-Excelroof
4 p.m. — Adamson vs Ateneo
DEBUTING teams Perpetual Help and National University (NU) followed different paths Sunday night in the 7th Shakey’s V-League second conference at the Arena in San Juan.
The Altas, who are eyeing at least a playoff in the league, succeeded on their goal after surviving winless College of St. Benilde, 25-23, 21-25, 17-25, and 22-25 in almost two hours of play.
Sandra delos Santos paced Perpetual with 19 points, including 14 kills, while the triumvirate of Nica Guliman, Ronerry dela Cruz, and April Sartin contributed 31 hits to oust the Blazers in the country’s most prestigious volleyball league.
The Blazers seem headed for a big win after snatching the first set but wavered in down-to-the-wire finishes in the next three frames.
Skipper Giza Yumang paced the losing effort of Benilde with 19 points, including three blocks while Cindy Optana 16 hits.
In the other contest, Ateneo de Manila put cuffs on National University’s bid for an outright quarterfinals slot after blanking the Lady Bulldogs, 25-14, 25-22 and 26-24.
Guest player Alyssa Valdez yielded 12 points while Angeline Gervacio and Fille Cainglet chipped in 10 hits apiece.
Team captain Mervic Mangui scored a game-high 20 points while guest player Denise Santiago added 10 points for the losing cause of NU, who is now tied with Perpetual at 2-5 (win-loss) record.
NU was drafted to replace grandslam winner University of Santo Tomas (UST) after it begged off participation to allow players to rest in time for the UAAP volleyball wars next semester.
V-League will close the eliminations on Thursday before proceeding to the playoff showdown between Perpetual and NU on August 15.
The quarterfinals will start on August 19 at the Arena in San Juan. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)