BY ABBY TORABLA
ATENEO held off hard-fighting Adamson University 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 24-26, 18-16 yesterday in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals for the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena.
Skipper Faith Nisperos shone fo the Blue Eagles with 35 points, while open spiker Vanie Gandler delivered 20 kills and 11 digs.
Middle blocker AC Miner fired 18 markers, opposite spiker Lyann De Guzman contributed 10 markers and 16 excellent receptions, while setter Takako Fujimoto had 25 excellent sets for Ateneo.
In men’s play, National University trounced University of Santo Tomas 25-19, 25-21, 25-19 to also move within a win of the crown.
Veteran open spiker Nico Almendras hammered 13 points, 14 excellent receptions and five digs for the Bulldogs, while open hitter Mike Buddin and opposite spiker Kennry Malinis added 11 points apiece.
Team captain and setter Joshua Retamar tossed 16 excellent sets along with two markers for NU.
