With their highly anticipated finals rematch looming, the Ateneo Lady Eagles made short work of the floundering UE Lady Warriors, 25-7, 25-17, 25-8 at the San Juan Arena.
The defending champs showed why they there are still the favorites to take the crown this season, limiting UE to 32 points (18 off Ateneo errors), the least scored by a team this season. Ateneo’s defense was in full stride as they gave up only nine points off UE spikes.
Local volleyball superhero Alyssa Valdez was unstoppable the entire match, notching 23 points off 19 spikes (36 spike attempts), two blocks, and two aces. Michelle Morente, starting the match after coming off the bench in the past three matches, and Kiwi, Amy Ahomiro, dropped 10 points each to help the Ateneo cause.
The Lady Eagles started the demolition job early, claiming the first nine points with their league-best spiking. Ateneo’s dominance held through up to the end of the first set as six of UE’s seven total points came off ADMU errors.
UE fought hard to keep the game within a respectable margin in the second canto, pulling off an impressive run of blocking and spiking to trim a seven-point Ateneo lead to three at 10-13. Ateneo team captain Valdez led a furious rally that vaulted her team’s lead back to double digits, 22-12. Ateneo’s reserve players came in and sealed the deal for the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Eagles hummed through the rest of the match, allowing only eight points in the final set, two of which came off their own errors.
Due to a scheduling modification for Ateneo’s participation in the South East Asian University Games, the Lady Eagles have to face their rivals, DLSU tomorrow at the MoA Arena.
The scores:
ADMU- Valdez 23, Ahomiro 10, Morente 10, De Leon 6, De Jesus 5, Madayag 3,:Morado 2, Gaston 1, Gequillana 0, Maraguinot 0, Lazaro (L) 0.
UE- Juanillo 5, Dawis 3, Adorador 2, Dacaymat 2, Manansala 1, Abil 0, Olavre 0, Ponon 0, Alcayde 0, Baliton 0, Arado (L) 0.
