Ateneo de Manila University repeated over University of the Philippines and this time, it was a convincing straight-sets win, 25-14, 25-20, 25-15, in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The Blue Eagles needed five sets in the first round to turn back the Fighting Maroons, 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 15-9.
Ateneo now holds solo fifth at 3-6 but is still a game and a half behind fourth-running Far Eastern University at 4-4.
“I’m so happy! These past two weeks were so challenging; we played four times, but most importantly, our performance remained at the same level. In all these matches, the players played very well,” said Blue Eagles head coach Sergio Veloso.
Coming off a solid performance in last Wednesday’s five-set loss over leaders University of Santo Tomas that put the league on notice, Ateneo sustained its high level of play.
The Blue Eagles did not let their foot off the gas despite earning a commanding 2-0 set lead, starting the third set on a 14-6 barrage all the way to the win in one hour and 24 minutes.
Geezel Tsunashima delivered one of her finest performances this season with 16 points on 13-of-27 attacks and three blocks with six digs.
“I’m very happy sa performance ng team and hopefully sa susunod na games namin mas maging aggressive pa kami and i-embrace pa namin yung system ni Coach Sergio, and hopefully makuha talaga namin yung Final Four,“ said Roma Mae Doromal, who had 13 receptions and eight digs.
Sobe Buena provided 10 points, while AC Miner and Lyann De Guzman got eight points each as well in the victory.
Ateneo’s next game will be important in its Final Four drive as it will clash with FEU on April 4.
Nobody from the Fighting Maroons reached double figures with Steph Bustrillo their leading scorer with eight.
UP (1-8) will look to jump back to the win column when it matches up with reigning champion De La Salle University on April 4.
