The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons won another edition of the never-ending Battle of Katipunan, upending neighbors, the Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles, in the quarterfinals of the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference, 25-18, 14-25, 25-20, 25-18, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The opening set was close until the Lady Maroons enforced their will late on. UP’s slim 13-12 lead escalated to a 21-14 mountain. Ateneo countered in the second frame, plastering the mis-receiving Lady Maroons with a 23-10 lead to tie it at one set apiece.
The third set was close, with Bea De Leon crushing two straight quick attacks to lead Ateneo to a 19-all tie. But the Lady Maroons mustered a 5-0 run off the back of tremendous defense and serving. The Lady Maroons closed the match early in the fourth set, sprinting to a five-point lead, 8-3, and protecting their advantage until the match’s end.
“Customary na sa amin na may isang set na maibigay. We’re looking to reduce though down sets from us,” said UP head coach Jerry Yee.
“We needed this win para walang masabi sa amin na wala na nga si Valdez, di pa rin kami nanalo.”
The Lady Eagles surrendered 34 errors to UP’s 23. Kathy Bersola led the Lady Maroons with 12 points. Isa Molde added 11, while Mariane Buitre adjusted well to her positional shift to open hitter and notched 10 points.
Ateneo veterans Bea De Leon and Michelle Morente each delivered 15 points.
The Lady Maroons improved to a 2-1 quarters record, on track for a semis berth. The Lady Eagles dropped to 1-2. The Lady Maroons ended nearly a decade of futility against Ateneo in UAAP Season after taking their second round match.
On Monday at the PhilSports Arena, UP face the National University Lady Bulldogs (3-1) at 4 pm, while the Lady Eagles take on the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses (0-4) at 6 pm.
The Scores
UP (3) – Bersola 12, Molde 11, Buitre 10, Carlos 9, Dorog 5, Tiamzon 5, Basarte 3, Cailing 0, Layug 0, Gaiser (L), Estrañero (L)
ADMU (1) – De Leon 15, Morente 15, Gaston 8, Gequillana 7, Gopico 7, Morado 4, Samonte 2, Lavitoria 0, Tan (L)
