MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles rode on the exploits of Faith Nisperos as they walloped Adamson University Lady Falcons, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 24-26, 18-16 in Game 1 of V-League women’s volley finals on Sunday at Paco Arena.
The 22-year-old Nisperos spearheaded the offense with career-high tying 35 points, including eight in the fifth set, as the Blue Eagles took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three championship series.
Vanessa Gandler also stepped up to fire 20 points on 14 attacks, four aces and two blocks to go and finished with 11 excellent digs. Alexa Miner added 18 points for the Blue Eagles.
Nisperos clutch conversions in the deciding set put the Blue Eagles at match point at 14-9 but the Lady Falcons countered with attack sfrom Trisha Tubu and Rizza Cruz to tie the score at 16-all.
Miner regained the advantage for the Blue Eagles at 17-16 with a quick attack before fellow sophomore volleybelle Lyann de Guzman clinched the victory for Ateneo with a service ace.
“We’re not thinking about the championship right away, we’re thinking of the process. I know I have a new team, most of them ngayon lang nag-start. It’s all about the process,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro.
“’Yun ang kailangan namin aralin. Starting well and closing out games. We should play according to the level of the tournament. Mataas ang level ng Adamson eh so we have to equalize and higitan pa namin,” he added.
Tubu tallied 17 points while Cruz chipped in 16 points, she laced with five blocks for the Lady Falcons, which is aiming to bounce back in Game 2 this Wednesday to force a decider next Sunday.
Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers showed too much power and class as it trounced University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-20, 25-17, 25-16, to clinch third place honors.
Jade Gentapa sizzled with 17 points on 14 attacks, two service aces and a block, while Gayle Pascual came through with 14 points and skipper Mycah Go added 10 points, eight digs and six excellent receptions to anchor the reigning NCAA champions’ win./PN
