Barely facing any resistance, the Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles sprinted to a quick, straight-sets win over the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-15, 25-13, 25-11, in the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Eagles even had the luxury of slotting in their bench players at different points of the match; the Gaston sisters and Jamie Lavitoria all got a chance to play.
The adjustments had no effect on Ateneo’s championship form as they built double-digit advantages early in each set and never looked back. Although UE mustered a few decent rallies, they could not deliver enough good service receptions to keep the match close.
“It was a great win but now we have to move on our next match,” said team captain Alyssa Valdez, who had in mind their highly-anticipated rematch with the De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“La Salle’s always gonna be a tough opponent so we really need to train. Kahit na may twice-to-beat na kami, every game is still very important for us. Kahit sino pang kalaban, we need to win,” Valdez continued.
The two-time MVP scored a game-high 17 points built on 14 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Her fellow open hitter Jhoana Maraguinot finished with 13 points, while graduating middle blocker Amy Ahomiro added eight points.
Shaya Adorador towed the Lady Warriors with seven points, while middle hitter Roselle Baliton contributed six for the ailing Lady Warriors.
In her five seasons in Loyola, Valdez has been 10-0 against the Lady Warriors.
UE will try to break their losing streak when they face the Adamson Lady Falcons on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in both teams’ final match of the elimination round.
Both La Salle and Ateneo have clinched the top two seeds in the Final Four with identical 11-2 records.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Valdez 17, Maraguinot 13, Ahomiro 8, Gequillana 4, De Leon 3, Gaston T. 3, Gaston P. 2, Morado 1, Tan (L), Lavitoria (L)
UE (0) – Adorador 7, Baliton 6, Domingo 3, Abil 1, Menderez 1, Alcayde 1, Catindig 1, Disquitado 1, Bendong 0, Arado (L)
