ATENEO de Manila tamed University of Santo Tomas (UST), 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 25-15, to get a share of the lead in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The defending champions took the first two sets and had a chance to end to finish off the Golden Tigresses, but the España-based team roared back in the third set to stay alive in the game.
The Lady Eagles regained their strong form with a 13-7 cushion. The comeback-seeking UST continued to cut the deficit, but the match was over when Ateneo waxed hot through the punishing hits of Alyssa Valdez to build a 23-13 margin and never looked back to end the game in four sets.
“At the end of the day, we can feel the loss of our three main defenders [from last season],” said Valdez, referring to Denden Lazaro, Ella de Jesus and Mich Morente. “As the tournament goes, there’s an adjustment every game and every set. We’re lucky to see our weaknesses and struggles this early to at least we and Coach Tai [Bundit] could work on it.”
The back-to-back UAAP Most Valuable Player Valdez ignited the victory of Ateneo with 23 hits on 20 kills. Jhoana Maranguinot stepped up for her teammates, contributing 12 points on eight kills, two blocks and two aces.
“UST will fight. Their players have big hearts, they will keep fighting. They gave us a good fight and they showed us what we have to work on as a team,” Valdez said. “Every day we have to maintain our focus because a lot could happen in a snap.”
The Golden Tigresses put up a solid performance despite the loss. They opened the third set with a 13-6 edge, but Ateneo kept them in striking distance trimming it to a 20-16 separation. UST, however, still prevailed and forced another set.
Cherry Rondina dropped another sensational performance with 21 points off, 15 spikes, three aces and three blocks, while skipper EJ Laure added 11 points.
Ateneo joined chief rival De La Salle on top with a 2-0 win-loss record apiece, while UST remained winless in two outings.
In men’s division, National University (NU) managed to dispatch La Salle spikers in straight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-20, despite 38 errors and notched its second win of the season.
James Natividad led all scorers with 14 hits from five blocks. Kim Malabunga and Bryan Bagunas chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Skipper Vincent Mangulabanan paced them with 28 excellent sets.
Earlier, University of the Philippines (UP) trounced UST, 25-17, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, to bounce back from their opening game loss last week against Far Eastern university (FEU).
Wendel Miguel put up 22 points on 20 kills, while John Mark Millete delivered 15 markers on 12 attacks, two blocks and an ace.
The Maroons took advantage of the Growling Tigers’ 40 errors compared to their 22. UST’s Arnold Bautista had 20 points, while Manuel Medina and Patrick Balse added 15 and 10, respectively, in a losing cause.
NU joined Ateneo on top with a 2-0 win-loss record. UP and La Salle now have identical, 1-1, slates to join FEU and Adamson in the standings, while UST and University of the East remained winless in the tournament after two matches.