MANILA---Ateneo and Perpetual Help clinched the first two quarterfinal berths with straight-set victories against separate opponents in the Shakey’s V-League yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan. The Lady Eagles brought Southwestern back to reality with a 25-16, 25-15, 25-15 rout, but the Cebu-based Lady Cobras still gained the Round of Eight for the first time after the league overturned a previous loss.
Guest players Alyssa Valdez and Lithawat Kesinee led the Lady Eagles with 16 points each while drawing strong support from Dzi Gervacio, Fille Cainglet, Ella de Jesus and seldom-used Aerieal Patnongon.
Group B leader Perpetual Help matched Ateneo’s 3-0 card in Group A by thwarting winless St. Benilde, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19.
Sandra delos Santos fired 14 points, including three blocks, while April Ann Sartin added 10 points for the Lady Altas.
Southwestern, which recently stunned powerhouse San Sebastian, wrapped up its elimination run with a 3-1 record after the league nullified Lyceum’s April 5 win, 21-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-15, over the Lady Cobras for fielding ineligible player Carla Benedicto.
The decision came just two days after the league also overturned Adamson’s win over Perpetual Help for the same offense.
Jasmine Payo, Inquirer.net
