Lady Eagles blast unbeaten Lady Maroons
Ateneo fashioned out an emphatic 25- 14, 25- 19, 25- 21 victory over erstwhile unbeaten University of the Philippines to grab a share of the lead with La Salle in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan yesterday.
Jhoana Maraguinot and Bea de Leon fired 11 points apiece while Michelle Morente added 10 markers and collected eight digs as the Lady Eagles imposed their will upfront and put on a solid floor and net defense to overpower the Lady Maroons.
It was Ateneo’s fifth victory against a loss as it surged ahead with arch rival La Salle, which earlier subdued University of the East, 25-18, 25-14, 25-16.
Julia Morado orchestrated the Katipunan-based squad’s plays with efficiency, dishing out 38 excellent sets on top of five service aces. Libero Gizelle Tan also had 12 digs as the Lady Eagles dominated from the start to finish to pound out the straight-set romp.
Diana Carlos and Isa Molde came away with 12 points apiece for UP, which dropped to third at 4-1 after sweeping its first four games.
The Lady Maroons actually threatened at 20- 23 from a 9-19 deficit in the third behind Molde’s back-to-back aces. But Kat Tolentino scored on a hit and after Diana Carlos made it 21-24, Maraguinot soared for another kill to finish off the Lady Maroons.
“We did not expect it (straight set win). UP is really a contender now but coach Tai (Bundit) made our players work for every point,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses.
Earlier, Kim Dy and Ernestine Tiamzon teamed up for the Lady Spikers as the defending champions whipped the Lady Warriors to claim their third straight victory and fifth overall against a loss.
Dy punched in 12 points on 11 kills and one ace while Ernestine Tiamzon chipped nine attacks and made two blocks and Kim Fajardo dished out 41 excellent sets.
Mary Mendrez wound up with nine points and Judith Abil added eight markers for the Lady Warriors, who tied Adamson at the cellar at 0-6.
Libero Kathleen Arado had 36 excellent receptions and 20 digs while Roselle Baliton made 38 excellent sets.
“We’re still in the stage of adjustment. I’m able to see some results but I am still not satisfied as they still commit unforced errors, like in service, so we’re still lacking,” said DLSU head coach Ramil De Jesus.