The ATENEO Lady Eagles were defeated in today’s match by the defending champions, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers, in 5 sets, by scores of 25-19, 14-25, 25-18, 18-25, and 10-15 on Saturday, May 6 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Today’s loss against the Lady Spikers sees the Blue and White finish Season 79 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Volleyball tournament at second place.
Today’s match saw Michelle Morente lead the scoring for the Lady Eagles with 16 points. Bea de Leon and Jhoana Maraguinot finished as the Lady Eagles’ second top scorers of the match by putting up 14 points each. In her final game for the Blue and White, Team Captain Jia Morado facilitated the offense with 53 excellent sets. Fellow graduating senior Gizelle Tan meanwhile, contributed by making 15 of the team’s 28 excellent receptions.
The first set saw the Lady Eagles get off to a flying start, as they entered the first technical timeout leading by four (8-4). However, unforced errors would soon come to haunt the Lady Eagles, as the Blue and White found themselves conceding a four-point lead, Tying with DLSU at 15-all due to double contact. However, the Lady Eagles seemed to show improved floor defense, as they rallied on numerous blocks and defensive stops to claim the first set at 25-19.
The second set however, saw the Lady Spikers in inspired form, as they entered the second technical timeout leading by ten (6-16). Eventually, a deflected spike from Kim Dy would claim the second set for the Green and White at 14-25.
Contrary to the sets that preceded it, the third set saw a much tighter contest between both sides as points were exchanged alternately between the two teams. However, a service ace would soon see the Lady Spikers enter the first technical leading by one (8-7). However, numerous points from Jhoana Maraguinot would soon see the Lady Eagles overtake the Green and White and lead by two (16-14). Eventually, a downwards spike from Ana Gopico would then claim the third set for the Lady Eagles at 25-18.
Similarly to the previous set, the Lady Eagles and Lady Spikers engaged in yet another affair of alternately exchanged points. Once again, a service ace would see the Lady Spikers enter the first technical timeout leading by one (8-7). However, the set then saw the current Most Valuable Player (MVP), Majoy Baron, stamp her mark on the game as she excellently held the Lady Eagles’ attack at bay to see her side enter the second technical leading by three (16-13). Tin Tiamzon and Desiree Cheng, who had been great in the previous sets, came up huge once more for the Lady Spikers as they lightened the scoring responsibility off Kim Dy’s shoulders to see the Lady Spikers lead Ateneo at one point (21-16). Eventually, a block from Majoy Baron would claim the fourth set for the Lady Spikers at 25-18, forcing a crucial, season-deciding fifth set.
Entering the fifth set, both sides had a lot at stake with Ateneo fighting to keep their season alive, and DLSU fighting to complete a successful title-defense. As the set began, it would be the Lady Spikers who proved to be the hungrier of the two sides as they raced to an early five-point lead (6-1). A spike from Finals MVP Desiree Cheng would then see the Lady Spikers lead Ateneo by five at the court-change. Eventually, an overhit spike would prove to be the nail in the coffin for the Lady Eagles’ title hopes, as they lost the fifth set at 10-15.
After the match, Team Captain Jia Morado spoke about the team’s feelings about the their performance this season. “We’re grateful for the season—win or lose, we’re still grateful because of the experience. Hindi naman palaging panalo, Hindi naman palaging talo rin. (You can’t always win, and you can’t always lose) So in the end, none of us are that upset about what happened.
After today’s result, the Lady Eagles find themselves finishing Season 79 of the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament at second place. Jules Samonte also took home the Season 79 Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Year awardAccording to Morado, the Lady Eagles will take a short break and return to training immediately after.
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Morente- 16, Maraguinot- 14, de Leon- 14, Tolentino- 10, Gopico- 9, Morado- 6, Gequillana- 2
DLSU: Dy- 19, Tiamzon- 16, Cheng- 12, Baron- 10, Fajardo- 6, Ogunsanya- 6
Both sides were pushed to their limit in today’s five-set thriller. However, it would be DLSU who would eventually take home the crown.
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