Lady Eagles survive ‘Battle of Birds’ thriller
Ateneo Lady Eagles soar to third win in a row
THE upswing of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) continued yesterday as the team booked its third straight victory with a fiveset win over the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-18, 14-25, 25-18, 15-25 and 15-10, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Had it seesaw throughout the match, the Lady Eagles ( 3- 2) got their act just in time amid a spirited challenge from the Lady Falcons to claim the victory and extend their ascent in the tournament after losing their first two matches while dealing Adamson (2-3) its second consecutive loss.
The two teams went back and forth to open the match with the Lady Falcons establishing an early 8-5 lead.
But Ateneo would start to pick up the pace of its game as the frame advanced and clawed its way back.
It first tied the count at 11-all, boosted by service aces from skipper Maddie Madayag, before completing the turnaround by the second technical timeout, 16-14.
Adamson managed to come within a point, 17-16, but that was the closest it could get as the Lady Eagles flapped their wings and race to an 8- 2 run to close out things and claim the set.
The second set took a similar route in the early goings with the Lady Falcons taking the count by the first technical break, 8-3.
Towed by veterans Mylene Paat, Eli Soyud and Joy Tacuron, Adamson continued to hold sway midway into the frame, 16-9, and never looked back after to level the match at one set apiece.
In the third set the teams went toe-to-toe, fighting to a 9-all count before Ateneo went on a 3-0 minirun to give itself a 12-9 cushion.
Adamson continued to charge back, closing the gap at 15-14 only to lose grip the rest of the way and fell down by a set.
The Lady Falcons though would come back in the fourth period with more bounce and focus following their “meltdown” prior, claiming an 8- 4 advantage and then 16-10.
Adamson’s lead grew to 12 points, 22- 10, before Ateneo stopped the bleeding with two straight points after.
It proved to be short-lived as the Lady Falcons held on to force a deciding fifth set.
In the decider, the teams battled it tight, locking heads at 6-all to start off things.
The Lady Eagles were first to hit double digits, 10-8, as their attacker Jhoanna Maraguinot and Jules Samonte made their presence felt.
They extended their lead to 13- 10, which proved to be difficult to overhaul for the Lady Falcons as Ateneo went on to park the win.
Maraguinot top-scored for the Lady Eagles with 15 points with Samonte adding 14.
Madayag also finished with 14 points, seven from attacks, four blocks and three service aces, to earn player of the game honors.
Soyud, meanwhile, led Adamson with 19 points.
“We struggled with our defense in stretches of the game but we just talked it over and adjusted accordingly especially in the fifth set,” said Madayag after their win
Ateneo next plays on Sunday against the struggling the University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons while Adamson takes on defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers on Saturday.