Ateneo guest player Alyssa Valdez lead the Lady Eagles to a thrilling 24-26, 25-18, 25-22, 19-25, 15-11 victory over Adamson Lady Falcons to win the first conference of the 8th Shakey’s V-League on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Valdez scored six of her 24 points in the deciding fifth set. Another guest player and Thai import Kesinee Lithawat delivered 24 points behind 18 hits, four blocks and two service aces.
“She delivered when it mattered most. She didn’t hold back, she really won it for us in the fifth set. She pulled it through for everyone,” said Ateneo coach Charo Soriano of Ateneo’s 18-year-old recruit from the University of Santo Tomas High School.
On the battle for third place, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod also completed a sweep against National University, 25-17, 25-22, 25-23.
The Lady Stingers became the first provincial team to finish in the top three since the league invited schools outside of Metro Manila four years ago to join the tournament.
This is the first major women’s volleyball title Ateneo since the 1976 NCAA tournament.
