Kim Gequillana scored a season-high 11 points as her Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles upended the National University Lady Bulldogs in Game One of the Shakey’s V League Collegiate Conference Finals, 25-19, 25-13, 25-21 at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The Lady Eagles built an early lead in the opening set and prevented any NU attempt at a comeback. The following set also had the Lady Bulldogs struggle mightily to find their groove. NU head coach, Roger Gorayeb opted to field his bench players in place of his struggling starters to give his stars a different view. NU, however, still could not stop the Lady Eagles from pushing their lead to double-digits and taking the second set.
With rejuvenated effort, the Lady Bulldogs starting six sprinted out of the gate to start the third frame. Down 2-7, Ateneo went to Alyssa Valdez to tie the set at 7. Both teams then traded points right until the later parts of the set. After a timeout, NU took the lead 21-19 off Jaja Santiago’s attacks, forcing Ateneo to call for time themselves. The timeout worked as Ateneo eventually vaulted ahead 23-21. Kim Gequillana then dropped an ace followed by a Bea De Leon quick that gave Ateneo the win.
Crowned the conference MVP after the match, Alyssa Valdez topped the stats sheet with 20 points off 15 attacks, two blocks, and three aces. Her fellow open hitter, Jhoana Maraguinot paced the offense with nine points.
Valdez admitted after the match that the win was all the more rewarding considering what her team went through in the past weeks. “Sobrang thankful namin for the win and we’re just really happy that everyone got to play really well kasi everyone has been sick the past couple of weeks and bihira kami makumpleto sa practice. Rewarding din for Coach Parley [Tupaz] kasi he’s been doing his best to keep the team in condition with Coach Tai [Bundit],” said Valdez about coach Bundit, who was in Thailand attending a conference. He might not be back for Game Two.
Alyssa was also incredibly happy for Gequillana. “She’s very cute kasi para sa kanya, wala lang ‘yung ginagwa niya but she contributed so much kanina. Kahit naman sa practice she always delivers those types of games so we’re glad na naipakita niya kanina. Ang clutch niya pa,” the team captain said.
NU’s Myla Pablo fired off 11 points, Jorelle Singh contributed eight, while Jaja Santiago got most of her seven pointa in the third set.
Game Two will take place next Sunday, September 27 at the San Juan Arena. An Ateneo win gives them the title.
The Scores
Ateneo (3) – Valdez 20, Gequillana 11, Maraguinot 9, De Leon 5, Ahomiro 5, Tan 1, De Jesus (L)
NU (0) – Pablo 11, Singh 8, Santiago 7, Nabor 4, De Leon 2, Urdas 2, Doria 1, Diolan 0, Paran 0, General (L)
