The Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles stayed alive in their Premier Volleyball League Open Conference semis series, taking Game Two against the BanKo Perlas Spikers, 25-21, 25-20, 26-24, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
After dominating the first two sets, the Lady Eagles needed to eke out the final frame. Leading 24-22, Ateneo fumbled the next two points, as BanKo got clutch hits from Nicole Tiamzon and Roma Doromal to force a deuce.
BanKo crumbled in the final sequences, however, as Fhen Emnas coughed up a setting error. Then Dzi Gervacio was roofed by an Ateneo double-block for the final point.
“For us, we just wanted to be an inspiration. It’s not about wins and losses for us at this point. We just want to show people na, even though you’re down, you can still get back up,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro.
Ponggay Gaston had her best match of the season, tallying 11 points to lead the Lady Eagles. Kat Tolentino added 10 markers.
Gervacio was BanKo’s lone double-digit scorer with 14 points.
The winner-take-all Game Three will be tomorrow at the same venue.
The Scores
Ateneo-Motolite (3) – Gaston 11, Tolentino 10, De Leon 8, Gandler 7, Madayag 7, Wong 5, Samonte 3, Maraguinot 0, Raagas 0, Gequillana (L)
BanKo (0) – Gervacio 14, Roces 9, Tiamzon 8, Bersola 6, Devanadera 3, Ahomiro 2, Dacoron 1, Doromal 1, Emnas 1, Ferrer 1, De Jesus (L), Tan (L)
