Ateneo de Manila University had the last laugh, scoring a stunning reverse sweep over University of the Philippines, 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 15-9, for its breakthrough win in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Wednesday.
Sobe Buena, Zey Pacia, Geezel Tsunashima, AC Miner, and KC Cortez all had a hand in the Blue Eagles’ 10-4 start in the fifth, leading to their triumph after two hours and 32 minutes.
“It’s most important that our team kept playing and never stopped after we lost two sets. The players continued to play with a strong mind and never gave it up,” said first-year Ateneo head coach Sergio Veloso.
The Fighting Maroons clawed back from 20-16 down in the third set, tying it at 20 but Lyann De Guzman powered the Blue Eagles to a strong finish to extend the match.
Then in the fourth frame, it was all Ateneo, taking a dominant 25-17 win to force a decider.
The Blue Eagles improved to 1-2, tying Adamson University and University of the East at fifth to seventh spots.
“Mayroon na po kaming consistency ngayong game and we just need to keep playing and playing kahit down kami ng two sets kasi hanggang may strong mind kami, kaya namin talaga at the end kakapit at kakapit” said De Guzman, who tallied 24 points on 19 attacks, four blocks, and an ace she laced with 18 receptions and 11 digs.
Buena, who sat out the second set, still ended up with 18 points on 50 percent attack efficiency while Tsunashima and Miner chalked up 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Ateneo’s win will serve as morale booster heading into this Saturday’s rivalry match against defending champion De La Salle at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Fighting Maroons, who slid to 0-3, saw their losing skid stretched to 14 games dating back to their fourth game in Season 85. They last won on March 5, 2023, a 22-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-20 victory against UE.
Steph Bustrillo had 17 points in the loss while Niña Ytang and Joan Monares contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.
UP will play against National University at 2 p.m. Saturday at the bayside Pasay venue.
