THE DAVAO Lady Agilas recovered from a sluggish start and outlasted NCAA champion Perpetual Help, 23-25, 24-26, 25-18, 25-20, 17-15, on Tuesday, shoving the winless Lady Altas out of the quarterfinal race in the Shakey's V-League Season 11 First Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
May Agton scored 21 and Venus Flores had 20 points, for the Lady Agilas, who scored their second win in as many matches.
Jocemer Tapic added 14 and Angel Antipuesto had 10 for Davao which scored a four-set win over Far Eastern University in their tournament debut on Sunday but used the whole of Monday to rest and recharge instead of practicing.
That led to the slow start against a Perpetual Help side that was without top player and coach, but Davao coach Shane Alagao did not seem to be too concerned.
“Medyo napalaban ’yung team sa simula pa lang, ang tagal gumana,” said Alagao.
“Sobra din ’yung pahinga namin kasi one day kami walang game puro lang kami tulog.”
Perpetual Help’s main scorer Honey Tubino is with the Power Pinays in Thailand along with Lady Altas mentor Sammy Acaylar for the Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship.
“’Yung laro namin nagbago, unlike noong laro namin last Sunday, sabi ko sa kanila (players) ngayon pa tayo mahihirapan eh top caliber ng UAAP ang FEU, although champion ng NCAA and Perpetual pero kasi wala si Tubino,” said Alagao.
Abi Praca finished with 24 points on 16 spikes, seven blocks and one service ace, while Norie Jane Diaz added 18 for Perpetual Help, which is winless in four matches.
Jamela Suyat had 11 and Ana Diocareza chipped in with 10 for the Lady Altas, who play their final elimination round match against University of Santo Tomas on Tuesday.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
