THE HIGHLY-anticipated match between the Ateneo Lady Eagles and archrivals De La Salle University Lady Spikers (DLSU) ended with a victory for the Katipunan-based team, giving them an unblemished winning streak, 14-0, by the end of the elimination round.
The Lady Eagles outmatched DLSU in four sets, 25-20,21-25, 25-23, 27-25 on Wednesday, February 18, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ateneo exploded with an immediate 4-0 run at the start of the first set, with Amy Ahomiro and Team Captain Alyssa Valdez registering service aces to boost momentum. The Lady Eagles’ lead continued on with the help of rookie Bea de Leon, who served up more points than expected as she played all four sets despite nursing her finger injury. The team was able to sustain their lead until the set ended at 25-20.
Team Captain Ara Galang then became DLSU’s response to Ateneo’s combination plays. Carrying the whole team on her shoulders, she dominated the overall playing field during the second set, ending it with a 21-25 tally.
Valdez managed the same strategy in the third set, registering point after point through her cross-court line attacks. She was able to register her record-breaking 300th point for the season in the process, leading the whole team to a close victory in the set, 25-23.
The fourth and final set featured a neck-and-neck exchange between both teams that allowed neither competitor to gain a huge advantage. By the time the score was at 15-all, the biggest lead was just one. The Lady Eagles pulled through with a lot of help from rookie Jhoana Maraguinot, who ended up as the Player of the Game. Her unexpected tactics paved the way for a 25-all deadlock towards the end of the set, which she eventually finished off with two consecutive power hits of her own. She sealed the set and match at 27-25.
The Lady Eagles finished the match with a 19-point advantage in attacks, scoring 57 against DLSU’s 38. They also gained seven points off blocks and services aces each.
Valdez topped the team in scoring with 29 points, followed up by De Leon with 11, Maraguinot with 10, De Jesus with eight, Ahomiro with six, Morado with four and Morente with three. Their counterparts from DLSU displayed unequal distribution of the ball, with Galang as the only one who scored double digits. She tallied 20 points, followed up by Reyes with eight, Demecillo and Cerveza with seven, Baron with six and Fajardo with four.
Setter Jia Morado also became crucial to the Lady Eagles’ win as she distributed the ball with 23 excellent sets. Top digger Denden Lazaro also notched 15 excellent digs.
As with the previous season, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) will follow the stepladder format to determine the second finalist. Because Ateneo ended the eliminations with a perfect slate, the Lady Eagles will proceed directly to the finals with a thrice-to-beat advantage.
Scores:
ADMU: Valdez – 29, De Leon – 11, Maraguinot – 10, De Jesus – 8, Ahomiro – 6, Morado – 4, Morente – 3
DLSU: Galang – 20, Reyes – 8, Demecillo – 7, Cerveza – 7, Baron – 6, Fajardo – 4
