UAAP champions Ateneo Lady Eagles continued their winning ways as they escaped the National University Lady Bulldogs 15-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23 to finish the quarterfinals with an unblemished record in the Shakeys V-League Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying-V Arena, Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Bulldogs, with new guest player Rubie De Leon who started in the setter position, dominated the Lady Eagles all through out the first set as Ateneo struggled to control their errors in the early goings. Dindin Santiago-Manabat led the Lady Bulldogs offensive charge in the set to keep the Katipunan based squad from catching up.
In the second set, Alyssa Valdez led the charge for the Lady Eagles. She was assisted by Bea De Leon and Amy Ahomiro, in keeping the Lady Bulldogs at bay in the latter part of the set. Ahomiro scored a sharp tip to bring Ateneo at set point at 24-19 while Manabat committed a service error to give the set to the Lady Eagles.
Both teams played a tight third se,t forcing a 15-all deadlock. Manabat committed a service error to hand the Lady Eagles a 16-15 advantage in the second technical timeout. Valdez, Jhoanna Maraguinot and Ahomiro conspired to put the Lady Eagles at a 21-18 advantage. National University, with the help of Myla Pablo, tried to close the gap by scoring a kill for a 21-20 disadvantage. Luckily for the Lady Eagles, Jaja Santiago committed a service error and setter Gizelle Tan unloaded two service aces to put the Lady Eagles at set point, 24-21. Valdez ended the set with a kill to give them a two sets to one advantage over their opponent.
With the Lady Eagles trailing, 20-17 in the tight fourth set, Valdez and Ahomiro’s combined efforts tied the score at 21-all. Ahomiro unloaded an ace to give Ateneo a slim, 22-21 advantage, but Pablo unleashed a crosscourt attack to tie the set once more. Both teams exchanged attack errors to force another scoring standoff at 23, which was broken when Valdez scored off the block to bring Ateneo at matchpoint, 24-23 and Bea De Leon blocked Aiko Urdas to hand the Lady Eagles its seventh straight win.
After the game Ateneo Lady Eagles Team Captain Alyssa Valdez said that everybody contributed to the victory of the team and it was a way to see the application of what the team has been practicing.
“Everyone contributed from the bench, coaches, and even the fans. We are very happy nakikita ang pinapractice namin,” said Valdez.
Valdez once again, powered the Lady Eagles with 28 points, 25 points coming from attacks along with six digs, while Ahomiro contributed 10 points.
Manabat and Pablo both finished with 14 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs while Santiago chipped 10 markers.
The Lady Eagles completed the quarterfinals round with 7-0 win-loss record, while the Lady Bulldogs has a 5-2 win-loss card heading into the semi finals.
The Scores:
ADMU(3)– Valdez 28, Ahomiro 10, Maraguinot 9, De Leon 5, Gequillana 2, Tan 2, Tiangco- Williams 1, De Jesus(L)
NU(1)– Manabat 14, Pablo 14, Santiago 10, De Leon 5, Urdas 5, Singh 4, Doromal 0, General (L)
