Missing a pair of key players, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles still had enough juice to overwhelm the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20, in Group A of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
With Kim Gequillana and Jho Maraguinot both nursing injuries, the Lady Eagles had to jigger their lineup and bring in players from off the bench. With a tall combination of Bea De Leon, Maddia Madayag, Jules Samonte, Ponggay Gaston, Kat Tolentino and Deanna Wong, the Lady Eagles missed speed but had the height at the net to compensate.
The match was ultimately decided on the serve and with errors. Ateneo served 12 aces to Lyceum’s four, and limited their errors to 18 while the Lady Pirates gave up 31.
“It definitely feels good to win. We’re happy that we’re going home with the win. Still, we know that we have a long way to go. We’re just taking it one game at a time,” said Ateneo team captain Bea De Leo,n who contributed eight points. De Leon had missed Ateneo’s last match – a loss to the Far Eastern University – due to a school-related activity.
Maddie Madayag powered in nine points to lead the balanced Ateneo attack. Gaston and Samonte dished out eight points, apiece.
Rocelyn Hongria paced the Lady Pirates with 12 markers, while team captain Cherilyn Sindayen added nine.
The Lady Eagles (2-1) face the San Sebastian Lady Stags (1-2) on September 23. LPU (1-2) also take on the Lady Stags on September 25.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Madayag 9, De Leon 8, Gaston 8, Samonte 8, Tolentino 7, Wong 4, Eleazar (L)
LPU (0) – Hongria 12, Sindayen 9, Genova 8, Mirales 6, Fabay 5, Juanillo 4, Rafael 1, Sevilla 0, Sarmento (L)
