Channeling another dominant performance from their team captain, Alyssa Valdez, Ateneo cruised to another straight-set victory after vanquishing UST, 25-21, 25-13, 25-19.
Ateneo’s effervescent superstar, Valdez topped all scorers with her 22 points, cashing in an efficient 19 of her 34 spike attempts while displaying her vast array of midair weapons. Her pocket rocket teammate, Ella De Jesus buoyed the team’s offense on rotations that had Valdez manning the back row. De Jesus finished with 12 markers off 10 spikes and 2 aces.
The Tigresses were able to carve a five point lead early in the first set but Ateneo eventually climbed back and tied the set at 20 all, then took the set behind an array of UST errors.
The Lady Eagles then proceeded to control the match from there, shutting down UST’s big guns and mitigating their opponent’s offense through tough net and floor defense. The match got so rough for UST Coach Odjie Mamon that he had to grasp at straws with his lineup as to who to plug into game. He later played all of his rookies in the third set in a last ditch attempt to crack the Lady Eagles’ code.
The Lady Eagles dominated the Tigresses offensively with their 42 spike points to UST’s 25. Ateneo also drove home 7 service aces while UST had none.
Veteran middle blocker, Jesse De Leon, led all Tigresses in scoring with her 8 markers while her fellow seniors, Pam Lastimosa and Mela Tunay only managed two apiece. Rookie sensation EJ Laure also struggled to find her footing throughout the match, tallying only 6 points.
The Lady Eagles still top the standings, tied with the Lady Spikers at 4-0 while the Tigresses settle at the bottom half of the leaderboards, tied with UP at 1-3.
The scores:
Ateneo – Valdez 22, De Jesus 12, De Leon 6, Ahomiro 4,Maraguinot 4, Morado 3, Lazaro (L) 0
UST – De Leon 8, Menesds 7, Laure 6, Rondina 4, Cortez 3, Lastimosa 2, Tunay 2, Cabanos 0, Palec 0, Alterado 0, Pacres 0, Dusaran (L) 0, Rasmo (L) 0
