Chapter One of the Battle of Katipunan went to the ladies of Loyola, as the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles handed the previously-undefeated University of the Philippines Lady Maroons a sobering straight-sets loss, 25-14, 25-19, 25-21, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Looking nearly invincible in their first four matches, UP stumbled mightily against last season’s runners-up. Ateneo handily took the first two sets off strong serving which stifled the UP offense. Even when the Lady Maroons established their offense, Ateneo checked their counter attacks.
The match looked out of doubt as Ateneo held a commanding 19-9 third set lead. The Lady Maroons, however, scrambled a comeback, with solid serving from Isa Molde netting back-to-back aces that put UP within two points, 21-23. Ateneo, however, got a clutch kill from Kat Tolentino then a strong response off a dig from Jhoana Maraguinot to end the match.
“Simula ‘yung dumating si coach Tai, talagang nag-prepare ‘yung team lalo na sa service receive kasi ‘yung talaga ang weakness namin,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Sabi nga namin na dapat mas mataas ‘yung psychology ng players. Nagkaroon lang siguro kami nang mas maraming breaks.”
The Ateneo offense was a picture of balance. Jhoana Maraguinot and Bea De Leon each tallied 11 points, Michelle Morente added 10, while Kat Tolentino managed nine markers.
The Lady Eagles are tied at first with rivals De La Salle University with a 5-1 record. They face off on Saturday, March 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Sophomores Diana Carlos and Isa Molde each tallied 12 markers for the Lady Maroons, who had just one block kill for the entire match.
UP fall to solo second with a 4-1 record. They take one the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (3-2) Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – De Leon 11, Maraguinot 11, Morente 10, Tolentino 9, Madayag 6, Morado 6, Gequillana 0, Tan (L)
UP (0) – Carlos 12, Molde 12, Tiamzon 4, Bersola 3, Buitre 3, Estrañero 3, Layug 2, Gannaban 1, Dorog (L), Gaiser (L)
