THE ATENEO Lady Eagles were on top form in today’s match as they edged out the University of a the East (UE) Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-18, 25-12, and 25-10 on Sunday, April 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Today’s win over the Lady Warriors sees the Blue and White improve to a 11-2 win-loss record in Season 79 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Volleyball tournament.

The Lady Warriors’ unforced errors costed them to enter the second technical timeout trailing the Lady Eagles by eight (8-16). Exiting the timeout, the Lady Warriors exhibited improved play as Mary Anne Mendrez and Ma. Shaya Adorador capitalized on some Ateneo errors to gather some points for the Lady Warriors. However, their efforts would prove to be fruitless, as a downwards spike from Michelle Morente would eventually claim the first set for the Lady Eagles at 25-18.

The second set then saw a setting exhibition being put on display by Team Captain Jia Morado, as she set up point after point to see the Lady Eagles enter the second technical leading by nine (16-7). Eventually, a sneaky drop from Morado would claim the second set for the Lady Eagles at 25-12.

Looking to wrap up things quickly, the Lady Eagles entered the second technical leading by seven (16-9). Continuing the strong run of play that she displayed in the previous sets, Morado would then score three consecutive service aces that allowed theLady Eagles lead UE by thirteen (22-9). Eventually, a drop from Ponggay Gaston took the match at 25-10.

Today’s match saw Kat Tolentino lead the scoring for the Lady Eagles with 12 points. Interestingly, Team Captain Morado followed as the team’s second leading scorer with 9 points of which 5 are from service aces, and she was able to make 26 excellent sets. Deanna Wong saw a lot of action today for the Lady Eagles, and defended the backrow well with 9 excellent digs, while Gizelle Tan contributed by making 7 out of the 13 excellent receptions of the team.

After the match, Team Captain Morado admitted that teamwork will play a huge part in Ateneo’s upcoming match against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers. “Teamwork talaga will help us win because we don’t rely on just one person. So yung all-around offense, defense, services, and blocking, yan ang inaasahan namin (Teamwork will help us win because we don’t rely on just one person. We will rely on all-around offense, defense, services, and blocking,” said Morado.

The Lady Eagles will square off against bitter archrivals, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers, on Saturday, April 8 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Box Scores:

Ateneo: Tolentino- 12, Morado- 9, Morente- 8, de Leon- 4, Samonte- 3, Gopico- 3, Madayag- 3, Gequillana- 3, Gaston- 2, Lavitoria- 1

UE: Mendrez- 6, Adorador- 5, Baliton- 3, Dacaymat- 3, Alcayde- 1, Bendong- 1, Catindig- 1, Rodriguez- 1, Gabarda- 1, Abil- 1