Ateneo back on top; UP downs NU
Games Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan) 8 a.m. – NU vs UP (Men’s) 10 a.m. – UST vs La Salle (Men’s) 2 p.m. – FEU vs UE (Women’s) 4 p.m. – La Salle vs UST (Women’s)
Ateneo recovered from a stinging midweek loss by dismantling winless Adamson, 25-13, 25-13, 25-11, yesterday to close in on a twice-to-beat Final Four incentive in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Eagles needed just one hour to extend the frustrations of the Lady Falcons, highlighted by a 16-0 start in the clinching the third set in a performance that somehow soothe the pain they suffered from a five-set defeat to the National University Lady Bulldogs last Wednesday.
Kim Gequillana scored 11 points while Michelle Morente and Jia Morado combined for 13 points for Ateneo, which regained sole possession of first place at 10-2 despite missing coach Tai Bundit.
Bundit flew back to Thailand to attend to some personal matters.
It was a one-sided affair that Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses, who called the shots in Bundit’s absence, even fielded some of his bench players. It resulted in 10 players scoring for the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Falcons remained winless after 12 games, this time playing sans main player Jema Galanza due to fatigue.
It was the 19th straight loss of the Lady Falcons dating back to last season.
Galanza was advised to rest after collapsing in Wednesday’s loss to University of the Philippines.
In the second game, UP humbled NU, 25-14, 25-27, 25-21, 25-12, to put both teams in a tie for fourth place with identical 7-5 records.
Kathy Bersola had 14 points built on eight attacks, four blocks and two service aces as the Lady Maroons kept their Final Four hopes alive with two games left in the eliminations.
UP’s last two assignments are against University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University while NU also plays FEU and UST.