In perhaps the biggest upset of the season, the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons cost their Katipunan neighbors Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles from claiming a twice-to-beat advantage in a sweep, 28-26, 25-23, 26-24 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UP took full advantage of crucial Ateneo errors in the first two sets. Clinging to a 26-25 lead, the Lady Eagles surrendered an attack error which Isa Molde followed with an smash off two blockers. Following a timeout, the Lady Eagles went to Jhoana Maraguinot who swung wide and gave UP the set.
The Lady Eagles then grabbed a 23-21 advantage in the second set which they let slip away. Team captain Tots Carlos connected thrice in a UP’s decisive 4-0 run, highlighted by a backrow stab to end the set.
The Lady Maroons then built up to a thrilling crescendo to end the matxh. Trailing 19-23, Carlos again carried her team to a 23-all tie. She then punctuated another amazing performance by scoring UP’s last point off two blockers.
“As I’ve been saying before we took a break, we just want to finish strong,” said UP’s Kenyan head coach Godfrey Okumu. “We’ve been working hard and continuously developing. Whatever happens, we just really wanted to finish this strong.”
Carlos finished with a game-high 22 points off 18 attacks, three aces, and a block. Isa Molde added 14.
UP (5-8) keeps their outside shot at a Final Four seat alive. They need both NU (6-6) and AdU (5-7) to keep losing matches. They take on the UE Lady Warriors (2-9) on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Kat Tolentino was the lone double-digit scorer for Ateneo, who surrendered 34 errors, with 15.
Ateneo (9-4) dropped their first match of the second round. They end their elimination round against rivals La Salle (9-2) on Sunday at the SM Mall.of Asia Arena.
The Scores
UP (3) – Carlos 22, Molde 13, Estrañero 6, Layug 6, Ramos 6, Cailing 3, Lim 1, Dorog (L), Thai (L)
ADMU (0) – Tolentino 15, Madayag 8, Maraguinot 7, De Leon 4, Samonte 4, Wong 1, Gaston (L), Lo (L)
