MAXIMIZING THEIR middle blockers on both the offensive and defensive ends, the Ateneo Blue Eagles knocked down the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 25-20, 25-20, 25-20, earlier today at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
Closing off the game in only three sets, the Blue Eagles elevated to a 5-5 record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Women’s Volleyball Tournament standings.
In today’s match, Head Coach Oliver Almadro adjusted Ateneo’s starting line-up in their second encounter against the Golden Tigresses by replacing Opposite Hitter Lyann De Guzman with Erika Raagas. The change in player rotation proved to be effective especially with setter Jaja Maraguinot distributing the ball more evenly to the wing spikers and middle blockers.
With more balls going to Alexis Miner’s and Joan Narit’s side of the court, they ignited the offense in the first set with flawless execution of quick and running plays.
UST traded points early in the set because of the variation in scoring from Imee Hernandez and Ysa Jimenez, accompanied by sneaky 1-2 plays from their setter Mafe Galanza. Ateneo, however, went into clutch mode against the España-based squad with better coverage at the net, converting their impressive ball reception into attack points to win the first set, 25-20.
At the start of the second set, the Golden Tigresses managed to pick up the slack in their attack movement with a 4-0 run that included a crosscourt smash and a service ace from bench sparkplug Donna Tuazon, 7-11 for UST. The Blue Eagles quickly responded to UST’s adjustment by going on a 9-1 scoring streak that ultimately dictated the pace of the set, 16-12.
In the late stage of the set, Ypril Tapia seemed determined to rouse the sleeping UST offense but Faith Nisperos—Ateneo’s most reliable scorer—took control and secured her team the commanding two-set lead, 25-20.
With a 2-0 lead, the Blue Eagles entered the final set with explicit confidence. Apart from consistent spiking, Ateneo’s floor defense remained exceptional and supported Ateneo’s offense, allowing their setters to change up the attack patterns. Building on their scorching play in the previous two sets, Nisperos and Raagas started off the third with a 5-1 run. In the following rotations, Vanie Gandler led the charge with two consecutive attacks to disrupt UST, 8-3.
(https://twitter.com/gap_theguidon/status/1531478652948361217?s=21&t=4GL19ekzJrDMRw2IwsJczA)
Although UST’s Rachelle Roldan and Ysabel Jimenez countered with attacks of their own, the Blue Eagles kept their lead up due to their consistent blocking. As the set progressed, Ateneo’s middle blockers continued to take advantage of disrupted plays to score off a frazzled UST. In a sequence where Gandler’s spike flew off the block, Miner took control of the net with a power tip, 17-14.
(https://twitter.com/gap_theguidon/status/1531482288994672640?s=21&t=4GL19ekzJrDMRw2IwsJcz)
Due to the frustration of poor ball reception, UST’s setter Galanza attempted to boost the confidence of her team’s best attacker Laure by putting up the plays for her, 17-18. Despite the efforts of Laure at the sideline, Nisperos’ and Gandler’s hot hands rejected the opportunity to overtake as they eventually clinched the set and the win.
Showing a skillful display of both blocks and spikes, Joan Narit stepped up to earn the Blue and White troop a total of 11 points. Narit was joined by her co-middle blocker Alexis Miner, who contributed eight points for Ateneo. Meanwhile, Team Captain Eya Laure tallied 14 markers to boost the UST squad.
The Blue Eagles will face the University of the East (0-9) next at 6:30 PM on Thursday, June 2, at the MOA Arena.
Set Score:
Ateneo-UST: 25-20, 25-20, 25-20
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Nisperos – 18, Gandler – 12, Narit – 11, Miner – 8, Raagas – 8, de Guzman – 1, Maraguinot – 1
UST: Laure – 14, Jimenez – 5, Tapia – 5, Hernandez – 4, Galdones – 4, Tuazon – 3, Victoria – 3, Galanza – 3, Balcorta – 2, Ecalla – 2, Mangulabnan – 2, Roldan – 2
