THE ATENEO Lady Eagles defeated the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in five sets, 25-19, 24-26, 19-25, 25-16, and 15-11, to move to a 2-1 win-loss record in Season 79 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Volleyball tournament on Sunday, February 12 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Eagles entered today’s match faced with many difficulties with Team Captain Jia Morado falling ill and Head Coach Tai Bundit taking a leave to Thailand, which left Assistant Coach Sherwin Meneses in charge of this match. The first set saw somewhat of a smooth sail for the Lady Eagles as they defeated FEU by a score of 25-19.
However, the second set proved to be different as the Lady Eagles and Lady Tamaraws simultaneously exchanged points before FEU eventually pulled away to win (24-26). The third set saw stronger play from the Lady Tamaraws as they raced off to an early 2-0 lead before entering the second technical timeout up by four. Eventually, a barrage of FEU spikes, along with some communication errors on Ateneo’s part, would result in FEU taking the set, 19-25.
Despite the Lady Eagles now being down 2-1 in the match, they would start off the fourth set immediately down 4-0. The deficit then prompted the Ateneo coaching staff to call a timeout. Kim Gequillana was placed in the rotation, and her outstanding play contributed to Ateneo entering the second technical timeout up by 3. Eventually, a Morente spike would claim the fourth set for the Blue and White.
Late in the fifth set, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws— who were facing defeat— began to rain down a barrage of spikes at the direction of the Lady Eagles. However, Jhoana Maraguinot, Bea de Leon, and Michelle Morente displayed tremendous heart and resiliency, as they repelled wave after wave before Maraguinot eventually responded with a powerful crosscourt spike of her own.
The Ateneo crowd cheered as the Lady Eagles edged closer and closer to a successful comeback after losing the last two sets. Eventually, the Lady Eagles took the fifth set and sealed the victory (15-11) to complete a successful comeback from their previous loss to the National University Lady Bulldogs.
After the game, Coach Sherwin Meneses took little time to praise the impact of Kim Gequillana. “Reliable talaga si Kim– even in training, she’s always ready to make an impact when brought on,” he says.
The Ateneo Lady Eagles will square off against Adamson University Lady Falcons on Saturday, February 18, 4PM at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Maraguinot- 18, Morente- 17, De Leon- 11, Madayag- 10, Gequillana- 9, Tolentino- 6, Morado- 1, Samonte- 1
FEU: Pons- 18, Basas- 15, Malabanan- 13, Palma- 9, Cayuna- 2, Negrito- 1, Villareal- 1
Incredible heart and determination was shown by the Lady Eagles as theycame back from 2-1 down to defeat FEU in five sets
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