Lady Eagles breeze to fourth UAAP win
DLSU Lady Spikers shoot down Adamson Lady Falcons
THE Ateneo Lady Eagles chalked up their third straight win yesterday, getting the better of the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-14, 25-21, and 25-21, to improve to 4-1 in the ongoing University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament.
Ateneo relied on yet another total team effort, with its bench doing its fair share as well during the course of the match, to stay on top and keep at bay the challenge put up by UE, which remained winless in five games following its latest defeat.
Later in the day, the defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers shot down the hapless Adamson Lady Falcons in a shutout, 25-12, 25-16 and 25-15, to notch their fourth win in five games.
The Lady Warriors stood toe to toe with the Lady Eagles in the opening half of the first frame only to fall to a number of unforced errors and failed reception that allowed Ateneo to pull away and seize the set.
In the second frame, UE made it more competitive but just was not able to take it all the way.
It trailed Ateneo, 12-7, early before it went on an 8-3 run to level the set at 15-all and took the lead after scoring two more points.
The two teams then battled to a 21-all deadlock after which the Lady Eagles soared anew and left the Lady Warriors in the dust.
The third set was another competitive one with UE trying its best to squeak past the explosive attack of Ateneo.
It knotted things at 18-all, but like in the previous sets the rebuilding Lady Warriors just could not keep in step with the Lady Eagles in the windup.
The win was the third consecutive for Ateneo after being tripped by the National University Bulldogs (3-1) in its second game of Season 79 and a welcome back gift for returning coach Tai Bundit who missed their previous two games for personal reasons.
Michelle Morente was adjudged player of the game for her solid performance of 13 points, 10 off spikes and three service aces. Bea De Leon had 11 points while Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino finished with nine and eight points, respectively.
Kim Gequillana, Ana Gopico and Pong Gaston came off the bench to combine for seven points.
Ateneo setter Jia Morado had 35 excellent sets to go along with six points, four off service aces.
On the part of UE, leading the way were Mary Anne Mendrez and Shaya Adorador who both had 11 points.
“It was nice to have Coach Tai back. He really keeps us on our toes and check our mistakes which helped us in this game,” said Morente after the match.
They now look forward to battling the still-undefeated University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (4-0) on Sunday, Feb. 26.
For UE, the defeat was once again a reminder that it is still a work in progress despite being vastly improved from previous seasons.
Meanwhile, La Salle proved too much for the young Adamson squad in a clinical beating in the second game.
Opposite hitter Kim Dy led the Lady Spikers with 15 points, 10 off spikes, three blocks and two services aces, with middle blocker Aduke Ogunsaya finishing with 11 points.
Setter Kim Fajardo had 37 excellents sets for La Salle, which now holds a 4-1 record.
Adamson (0-5), for its part, got seven points from Jema Galanza.
The Lady Spikers return to action against UE on Sunday while the Lady Falcons next play on Saturday against the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses (1-3).