Ateneo returns to V-League finals after ousting UST

DAGGER. Valdez leads Ateneo's return to the finals. Photo by Rappler/Josh Albelda.

MANILA, Philippines -- Ateneo de Manila University barged into the finals of the 10th Shakey's V-League First Conference after beating University of Santo Tomas Thursday, May 16.

The Lady Eagles banked on splendid performances by Jang Bualee, Alyssa Valdez, Rachel Daquis and Fille Cainglet to score the 25-13, 23-25, 25-23, 25-13 victory in front of almost 6, 000 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The win brings back the three-peat-seeking Ateneo crew to the championship round while ending the Tigresses' streak of qualifying for the finals of all the conferences they've joined in.

Bualee, the reigning MVP who joined the Lady Eagles just last weekend, led all scorers with 22 points off 19 hits, 2 blocks and an ace while Valdez had 15.

On the other hand, Maika Ortiz led UST with 14 points but the Tigresses sputtered anew in the fourth set after losing a tightly-contested third. - Rappler.com