Outside of a second set letdown, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles stayed on top of the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball tournament standings after zapping the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-8, 22-25, 25-16, 25-10, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Ateneo got off to a blistering pace, going on an 18-1 run to take a massive 18-6 lead. The Lady Falcons then recovered in the second frame, battling to force a 19-all tie before taking control, 23-20, following a pair of solid serves from setter MJ Igao. Ateneo tried to rally, but Chiara Permentilla and Eli Soyud conspired to get the Lady Falcons the set win.
The Lady Eagles regained control in the third set, establishing their immense height advantage and tallying a 16-8 cushion. The Lady Falcons only got within five, 19-14, before Ateneo finished then with a 6-2 blitz. The fourth set continued to go Ateneo’s way, as the Lady Eagles quickly took a 16-8 lead and never looked back.
“Well, my players really prepared in this game. We don’t want to be out of focus coming into the game. Sobrang kaunti lang ng pahinga namin, so we really had to work hard right away and set our goals and mindset right away,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro.
“I really admire my players in their sacrifices and their hard work. They really have to study pa, tapos mage-ensayo pa kami so hindi madali ang ginagawa nila. I admire my players,” he added.
Ponggay Gaston’s career-high 16 points topped all scorers. Kat Tolentino and Bea De Leon paced the Lady Eagles with 15 and 14 markers, respectively.
Eli Soyud was the lone Lady Falcon in double-digits with 13 points. Joy Dacoron and Chiara Permentilla each provided nine points.
Ateneo (5-1) end their first elimination round campaign against the National University Lady Bulldogs (1-4) on Saturday. Meanwhile, Adamson (1-5) face the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (3-2) on Sunday. Both matches will be played at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Gaston 16, Tolentino 15, De Leon 14, Samonte 7, Madayag 6, Wong 4, Gandler 0, Maraguinot 0, Raagas 0, Gequillana (L)
AdU (1) – Soyud 13, Dacoron 9, Permentilla 9, Flora 7, Igao 2, Perez 1, Ave 0, Genesis 0, Infante 0, Yandoc 0, Ponce (L)
