THE ATENEO Blue Eagles defeated the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in a three-set sweep, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA) in Pasay City.
The win puts the Blue Eagles’ record at 2-3 in the elimination round standings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
In the first set, Ateneo was able to keep up with the attack points from Alyssa Bertolano as UP started the match with six consecutive errors, 6-6. The Blue Eagles began pulling away from the Fighting Maroons after Joan Narit converted a regalo and Faith Nisperos successfully landed a powerful tip, 12-10.
UP bounced back as their wing spikers continued to score, 12-14, but Vanie Gandler showed off her hot hands with four consecutive attack points to put Ateneo ahead, 20-17. The Blue and White took the set after an exhilarating block from Alexis Miner, followed by a smart drop ball by Jaja Maraguinot, 25-23.
Nisperos opened the second set with a combination of both offense and defense to give Ateneo the lead, 4-2. The frazzled UP committed a series of attack errors to cushion Ateneo’s lead, 12-9. Nisperos and Miner continue to dominate for the Blue and White, both combining to get their team’s biggest lead in the set with 16-10. At the latter end of the set, Ateneo and UP went back and forth, showing a strong offensive hold over their opponents, 22-16. From the bench, Erika Raagas ended the set with a rejection at the net, 25-18.
After a commanding 2-0 set lead, the Blue Eagles were clearly at ease with their offensive strategies in the third and final set. Nisperos got off to a hot start yet again, as she scored from the wing, 2-1. The Fighting Maroons were plagued with mistakes yet again as they provided six straight error points to Ateneo.
After a smart power tip by Maraguinot was orchestrated at the net, the Blue Eagles gained a comfortable lead over the Fighting Maroons, 16-12. Ateneo’s lead continued to increase with the help of the middle blockers Miner and Narit’s defense. Ateneo eventually won the set and secured their second win of the season after an error at the service line from the Fighting Maroons, 25-18.
Nisperos and Gandler once again showed up for the Blue Eagles with 16 points and 11 points, respectively. Nisperos’ explosive spiking was a key driver behind Ateneo’s success in the game, as she propelled the Blue and White to their second win of the season. The Lady Maroons’ 29 forced and unforced errors were pivotal in Ateneo’s three-set sweep.
The Blue Eagles look to build on their winning streak as they face the University of the East Lady Warriors on Tuesday, May 17, 12:00 PM at the MOA Arena.
Set Scores:
Ateneo-UP: 25-23, 25-18, 25-18
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Nisperos – 16, Gandler – 12, Narit – 6, Miner – 5, De Guzman – 3, Maraguinot – 3, Raagas – 1
UP: Encarnacion – 13, Bertolano – 12, Arce – 8, Jaboneta – 5, Bernardo – 3, Atienza – 1, Bustrillo – 1
