Learning from its first-round encounter, Ateneo de Manila University exacted revenge on Adamson University with a straight-sets victory, 25-23, 25-14, 25-23, to secure its third consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
The Blue Eagles had faced the Lady Falcons in their season opener, suffering a painful reverse sweep, 25-21, 25-20, 12-25, 15-25, 12-15. In that match, Shaina Nitura made history by setting a new UAAP rookie scoring record with 33 points.
Determined not to repeat their past mistakes, Ateneo capitalized on its improved execution in the second-round rematch.
“I think our best skill today was our serves. Our serves did a lot of damage to the opponent. This is important, and in the hard moments, my team continued to focus, and that’s the best thing to do for this moment,” said Blue Eagles head coach Sergio Veloso, as his squad dominated the aces department, 12-5.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ateneo now holds a 4-5 record, tying the University of the Philippines for fifth and sixth place.
The Blue Eagles set their sweep in motion when they erased a 16-19 deficit in the first set, closing it out 25-23 behind the tandem of Jihan Chuatico and AC Miner. That momentum carried into the second frame, where they overwhelmed Adamson, 25-14.
The Lady Falcons, however, refused to go down without a fight in the third set. With Ateneo at match point, 24-21, Nitura delivered back-to-back hits to cut the deficit to one.
However, on the next play, the sensational rookie grazed the net on a block attempt, sealing the Blue Eagles’ victory in one hour and 39 minutes.
“For this game, everyone contributed. Everyone put in the effort and stayed focused inside the court. We just fight kahit anong mangyari, just push through every point,” said setter Taks Fujimoto, who orchestrated the offense with 17 excellent sets while adding five points, including three attacks and two aces.
Miner led Ateneo’s balanced scoring attack with 13 points, while Lyann De Guzman delivered another all-around performance with 12 points, 13 digs, and 13 receptions. Zey Pacia also contributed 10 points and eight digs in a win where the Blue Eagles outperformed Adamson in spikes (40-33) and committed fewer errors (17-21).
Ateneo will look to sustain its momentum on Wednesday when it faces archrival De La Salle University at the same venue, aiming to avenge another first-round loss. The Lady Spikers have won their last 15 meetings against the Blue Eagles.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Despite the loss, Nitura continued to shine for Adamson, tallying 21 points, 11 receptions, and seven digs. However, she received little support from her teammates.
Frances Mordi managed nine points, while the rest of the Lady Falcons combined for just four points or fewer.
Now at 3-6 and in solo seventh place, Adamson will seek redemption on Wednesday against the UST Golden Tigresses.
#WATCH: OUR SERVES DID DAMAGE
Coach Sergio Veloso is pleased with how Taks Fujimoto, Lyann De Guzman, and the Blue Eagles stepped up from the service line after learning their lesson against Adamson 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/RszhBLy3tb
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 29, 2025
