THE ATENEO-MOTOLITE Lady Eagles defeated the Iriga-Navy Lady Oragons (IRG) in straight sets, 25-19, 29-27, 25-14 in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) on Saturday, October 13 at Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan City.
Ateneo’s lineup was composed of the usual starters with Team Captain Bea de Leon, Vanie Gandler, Deanna Wong, Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino, Kim Gequilliana, and Dani Ravena as the libero. University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 Beach Volleyball delegates Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte returned to the team and saw action for the first time in the tournament as substitutes.
The Lady Eagles began the match from behind as they sparked a 4-0 run to enter the first technical timeout (TTO) ahead, 8-4, courtesy of an attack error from IRG. At 13-6, Tolentino set up a wall at the net, forcing the Lady Oragons to call an essential timeout. From then, the IRG would go on a 7-0 scoring spree that catapulted them over the Lady Eagles, 13-14.
The Lady Eagles swiftly recovered, however, coming out on top, 16-15, at the second TTO and securing the first set, 25-19, off an IRG attack error.
[1st set] Attack goes long! The Lady Eagles take the first set!
Ateneo 25 IRG 19#PVL pic.twitter.com/i3ilg99d3u
— Ally Crespo (@Ally_TheGUIDON) October 13, 2018
Early on in the second set, miscommunication struck the team from Katipunan as they struggled to get on the scoreboard. The Lady Oragons dominantly went into the first TTO with an astonishing 0-8 lead. The Lady Eagles finally got a breather after a service error at 1-9, but the Blue and White continued to scramble for points as they trailed by as much as 11 points entering the second TTO, 5-16.
Staying true to their mantra, the Lady Eagles showed how strong their hearts are by coming from behind late in the second set with a 7-0 run, stopping all point production from IRG, 20-21. With the lead down to a single point, Team Captain de Leon led by example with back-to-back blocks to give Ateneo the lead, 22-21. Heart stopping action did not stop there as the Lady Oragons deuced the game at 24-all. After a series of set points, the Lady Eagles completed an impossible comeback in the second set as an attack from IRG sailed wide.
[2nd set] The Lady Eagles defy the odds and come back with a win in the 2nd set!
Ateneo 29 IRG 27 #PVL pic.twitter.com/EvkFQIEXJt
— Ally Crespo (@Ally_TheGUIDON) October 13, 2018
With momentum on their side, Ateneo maintained the lead early on in the first set thanks to a complete team effort. With the score at 10-9, the Lady Eagles pounced on another 7-0 run as they charged into the second TTO ahead, 16-9, after Bautista’s spike met Tolentino’s huge block. Ateneo sealed the deal through the rookie connection of Maraguinot and Gandler to award the Lady Eagles the win, 25-14.
[3rd set] Maraguinot finds Gandler! The rookies seal the match!
Ateneo 25 IRG 14#PVL pic.twitter.com/cWr8FYCF3U
— Ally Crespo (@Ally_TheGUIDON) October 13, 2018
De Leon quickly praised her team’s determination in the hard-fought three-set victory, singling out the team’s gusty comeback in the second set. “The best I’ve seen today was when we were able to come back [in the second set]. It was hard to do, but at least that showed our character,” said the veteran middle blocker. “Coach always tells us to play with pride so that’s how we let it out.”
The win improves the Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles to 3-1 in the tourney. They will continue their one big fight in the PVL at 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 14 against fellow UAAP team, Adamson-Akari Lady Falcons, in the same venue.
Set Scores
Ateneo-UP: 25-19, 29-27, 25-14.
