Continuing their surge, the Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles rolled to their third straight win, slamming the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-15, 25-21, 25-16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ateneo easily built a 20-8 lead in the first set as UE’s offense fired blanks. The second frame had the Lady Eagles take another commanding lead, 14-8. The Lady Warriors responded as Mary Ann Mendrez led a run that got them within three, 20-17. Bea De Leon and Kat Tolentino staved off further damage, scoring on hits that pushed Ateneo to a 2-0 sets lead.
The Lady Eagles got away from an early exchange in the third set, taking a 22-13 lead and never looking back.
Ateneo played their most efficient match of the season, converting 38 of their 92 attack attempts. The Lady Eagles also fielded 21 excellent receptions from 43 chances.
First-year Lady Eagles head coach Oliver Almadro insisted his team needed to win with a solid margin following several close matches.
“I’d like to thank my players, because they accepted my challenge that we have to win convincingly today. They really worked hard. One week namin, wala kaming game sa buong week. They worked hard and sacrificed a lot,” thought Almadro.
“We really have to improve on more aspects of volleyball fundamentals and volleyball mindset. We will not stop here, we will use this as a stepping stone for us to have a brighter future and for us to have good outcome in the next game,” the decorated men’s volleyball mentor added.
Opposite hitter Kat Tolentino tallied 13 points to top Ateneo. Middle blockers Maddie Madayag and Bea De Leon combined for 19 points on 16-for-22 attacking.
Judith Abil led the Lady Warriors with 14 points and 18 excellent receptions while Mendrez managed nine points.
Both teams play their next matches at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Ateneo (3-1) takes on University of the Philippines (3-1) on Sunday while University of the East faces Far Eastern University (2-2) on Wednesday.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Tolentino 13, Madayag 11, De Leon 8, Samonte 8, Gaston 6, Raagas 3, Wong 2, Gandler 0, Maraguinot 0, Gequillana (L)
UE (0) – Abil 14, Mendrez 9, Gabarda 4, Alcayde 3, Bendong 2, Rodriguez 2, Olarve 1, Baliton 0, Calavano 0, Manabat 0, Santos 0, Arado (L)
