MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo gave former star Charo Soriano a rousing coaching debut as the Lady Eagles toppled the Far Eastern U Lady Tams, 25-17, 25-22, 25-20, at the start of the eighth Shakey’s V-League at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.
Guest player Alyssa Valdez came away with 14 hits and eight digs while returning Thai import Lithawat Kesinee added nine hits, including two service aces and two blocks, for the Loyola-based squad, which had to fend off a tough challenge from the Lady Tams to pound out the straight-set win.
“Although there were some gaps when they lost their concentration and focus, they were still able to play well,” said Soriano, at 25 the youngest coach in the 10-team league.
Soriano saw action for Ateneo in the UAAP from 2003-2008 and last played for the team in the Shakey’s V-League in last year’s first conference.
“She (Kesinee) was a bit hesitant at first since she does not know her opponents. But with the help of her teammates, she was able to adjust well,” said Soriano of their reinforcement, who helped steer the team to third place in the 2007 second conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.
In the second game, April Ann Sartin fired 15 kills and had 11 digs as University of Perpetual Help System Dalta pounded out a 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 victory over National University.
Gracing the opening rites of the event organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Accel were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia and commissioner Chito Loyzaga, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, Philippine Volleyball Federation president Gener Dungo, Shakey’s chief operating officer Vic Gregorio, Sports Vision president Ricky Palou and chairman Moying Martelino.
Kesinee unloaded a couple of hits as the Lady Eagles broke away from a tight first game to seize a 20-12 lead before Valdez wrapped up the set with a kill.
Fille Cainglet combined with Kesinee and Valdez in the next frame as they held off FEU’s repeated rallies then sustained their pace and form in the third to complete the win in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Accel.
Ateneo playmaker Jem Ferrer came up with 39 excellent sets while libero Denden Lazaro had 12 successful receptions.
Rachel Daquis and Rosemarie Vargas combined for 18 hits while Maica Morada and guest player Wenneth Eulalio had seven and six points for the Lady Tams, who unleashed nine service aces against Ateneo’s five.
