Ateneo-Motolite secures playoff for semis after Iriga-Navy drubbing

The league-leading Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles had the room to give everyone on their roster playing time in their quick win over the Iriga-Navy Oragons, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22, in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Rookie Vanie Gandler led the Lady Eagles rout with 12 points while veterans Bea De Leon and Maddie Madayag contributed nine and eight points, respectively.

Ateneo had 8-1 leads in both spiking and blocking while limiting their errors to a season-low 17.

The victory places the Lady Eagles one win away from a Final Four seat. With a revamped lineup, Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro insisted Ateneo have already exceeded his expectations for this tournament.

“I didn’t expect this at all. When we joined this tournament, we wanted experience. We want them to learn the new system na hindi ganoong kadali,” reflected the first year Lady Eagles mentor. “Siguro, what I’m really teaching them is the attitude and trusting each other and the system.”

Nene Bautista and Grazielle Bombite each managed 11 markers for the Oragons

Ateneo (8-2) next face the BanKo-Perlas Spikers (7-2) next Saturday at the same venue. Iriga-Navy (3-9) will take on the Creamline Cool Smashers (6-2) on November 14.

The Scores

Ateneo-Motolite (3) – Gandler 12, De Leon 9, Madayag 8, Gaston 7, Tolentino 6, Wong 6, Fanger 2, Raagas 2, Samonte 1, Delos Reyes 0, Gequillana 0, Maraguinot 0, Ravena (L)

Iriga-Navy (0) – Bautista 11, Bombita 11, Bunag 8, Eguia 6, Acuna 4, Raterta 1, Cabriana 0, Guyguyon 0, Martinez, Agno (L), Ticar (L)