Drawing superb performances from their entire main cast, the Ateneo Lady Eagles made quick work of FEU with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-17 romping at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Boasting the league’s best offense, Ateneo punched holes in FEU’s shaky net and floor defense. The defending champs tallied a whopping 50 points off spikes while FEU managed only 26. The Lady Eagles also dug up 44 of FEU’s 108 spike attempts.
The Lady Tams started the match strong, hanging tough with the defending champs early in the first set. With ADMU holding a slim 13-12 lead, Michelle Morente unleashed two consecutive spikes that sparked an Ateneo rally that lasted until they claimed the set.
The second stanza saw FEU hampered by their own errors that allowed the Katipunan-based squad to claim an early 4-1 lead. FEU’s spikers caught fire in the middle of the set, pulling FEU to within a point of grabbing the lead, 15-16. Coach Bundit injected seldom used hitter Jhoana Maraguinot, who brought life back into Ateneo’s seemingly dazed offense with her two immediate spikes. From there, Ateneo revved up and unleashed a flurry of spikes and blocks to take the set handily.
The defending champs broke through FEU’s offense early in the final set and never looked back. Ateneo’s Queen Eagle put the Tams away late in the set with a bevvy of high flying signature attacks.
Alyssa Valdez led all scorers with her 16 points, all off spikes. Ateneo’s prized rookie from Poveda, Bea De Leon anchored the supporting cast, pitching in 10 points while pocket-rocket Ella De Jesus contributed 9.
The Lady Tams’ main gunners had an off outing as Bernadette Pons and Remy Palma topscored for the team with 7 points apiece. Charm Simborio managed 6 points off spikes.
In a post-game interview, Valdez said that she was happy that the team performed well. “I’m really happy na nag-perform ulit yung team nang maganda. Kasi parang lumalabas yung training namin. So I’m really happy.”
Moreover, last season’s Most Valuable Player also told the press that everyone performed well in the Lady Eagles’ first three games.
“Maganda kasi nagperform lahat ng maganda kagaya ng mga pinasok from the bench, si Jho (Maraguinot) and si Maddie. Nagperform ulit sila ng maganda. So overall a win is a win sabi nga nila, so we’re very happy.”
The scores:
ADMU – Valdez 16, De Leon 10, De Jesus 9, Ahomiro 7, Morado 5, Maraguinot 5, Morente 4, Madayag 1, Patnongon 0, Lavitoria 0, Tan 0, Gequillana 0, Gaston 0, Lazaro (L) 0.
FEU – Pons 7, Palma 7, Simborio 6, Basas 5, Malabanan 4, Guino-o 2, Casugod 1, Dawson 0, Amaro 0, Negrito 0, Limosinero 0, Papa 0, Agno (L) 0, Atienza (L) 0.
