Adamson opens V-League title defense bid with win over La Salle-Bacolod

Adamson University (AdU) opened its title defense bid with a straight-set 25-23, 25-15, 25-22 win over University of St. La Salle (USLS) in the Shakey's V-League Season 8 first conference on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City. With most of the Adamson players coming from Negros Occidental, the Lady Falcons, the Season 7 second conference champion, played loose against their visiting opponents. "Talagang hindi nila tinodo. Kasi parang mga kapatid nila ang mga yan e (Lady Stingers). Yun lang pag medyo alanganin, tumatayo na ko at pinapaalalahanan ko sila," said AdU mentor Dulce Pante. The Lady Stingers even led by 15-8 early in the match, before Lady Falcons team captain and Negros Occidental native Angela Benting made five straight points — including four straight service aces — to cut USLS' lead to two. The Lady Stingers led for the last time at 21-20, then allowed Adamson's Benting and Pau Soriano to score the last five points to claim the set. Adamson again capitalized on its height, skills and experience in the second set for a 2-0 lead. "Hindi pa yun ang tunay na lakas ng team. Actually nag-a adjust pa lang yung dalawa (Benting and Soriano) kasi nagbi-beach volleyball ang mga yan kaya hindi nakakapag-practice," said Pante. Benting and Soriano, Adamson's guest players this conference, are set to leave on April 17 for Indonesia to compete in a world qualifying tournament in beach volleyball. Benting paced the Lady Falcons with 12 hits and four blocks. In the first game, National University came back from an opening-set loss to pull off a 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-23 win over College of Saint Benilde. Four NU players, led by Maricar Nepomuceno with 16 hits and two aces, scored in double figures for the Lady Bulldogs, who bounced back from an opening game loss to University of Perpetual Help. Guest players Dindin Santiago, Mumay Vivas and Monique Tiangco chipped in 16, 15 and 12 points each, respectively. Vivas and Tiangco played for Far Eastern University in the last UAAP season. "Medyo hirap sa communication ang players ko pagdating sa kung sino ang dapat kumuha ng bola. Kailangan pa ng konting adjustments kasi may mga bagong players na pumasok sa team," said coach Francis Vicente, referring to the two transferees from FEU. The loss dropped the Lady Blazers to the cellar with a 0-2 win-loss record. Cindy Optana and Giza Yumang tallied 12 points each, while guest player Angelie Araneta added 10 in CSB's losing cause. - KY, JVP, GMA News