THE ATENEO Lady Eagles had an eventful final match day starting with a three-set loss to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws (21-15, 15-21, 13-15). Further in the day, the Blue and White dominated the winless University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in two sets (21-10, 21-11). Ateneo capped off the day with a play-off against the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons (19-21, 19-21). All games were played on Friday, October 5, at SM Sands by the Bay in Pasay City.
All the games were played by Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte with freshman rookie Erika Raagas on the sidelines as the reserve player.
Game 1 vs. FEU
The match started off close with both teams trading blows back and forth but the Lady Eagles were eventually able to pull away to gain a five-point lead late into the set, 18-13. An attack error off a poor set finished the first set, 21-15.
[1st set] Lady Eagles take the first set off an attack error!
Ateneo 21 FEU 15#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/M3SvqCpJSf
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) October 5, 2018
The second set told a similar story but with FEU leading this time. The Blue and White were unable to gain any momentum to make a comeback and they surrendered the set after giving up the set point to a clever first ball return by the Lady Tamaraws, 15-21.
[2nd set] A quick return hands the set to FEU. On to the third set!
Ateneo 15 FEU 21#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/2wvrDwG8t4
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) October 5, 2018
The Katipunan-based tandem dominated the third set early and were close to winning the match after a short tip by Gaston, 13-8. The Lady Tamaraws weren’t fazed by the score and even forced the Lady Eagles to call time after back-to-back kills, 13-10. FEU kept up their play and took the match off their 7-0 scoring run with a one-two play, 13-15.
[3rd set] What a comeback by FEU! Clever 1-2 play to earn match point.
Ateneo 13 FEU 15#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/L9nkPOrR3p
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) October 5, 2018
Game 2 vs. UE
The Lady Eagles were confident coming into the match as UE had yet to win a game all season. Ateneo asserted their dominance early, gaining a five-point lead at the technical timeout, 13-8. They then went on an 8-2 scoring run to take the set advantage, 21-10.
[1st set] Lady Eagles claim the first set off a net touch violation!
Ateneo 21 UE 10#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/WhA7G7SZvn
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) October 5, 2018
It was a similar scenario in the second set as the Blue and White had a three-point lead thanks to Gaston’s serving, 12-9. Gaston continued to serve well, racking up five consecutive service aces in the tail-end of the match, 17-9. A one-two play at match point set the Lady Eagles up with a play-off for fourth with UP, 21-11.
[2nd set] 1-2 play by Gaston! Lady Eagles advance to a play-off game against UP to decide who will advance to the final four!
Ateneo 21 UE 11#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/R9ahVK8yXZ
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) October 5, 2018
Play-off vs UP
During the elimination round, the winner of the Battle of Katipunan was Ateneo with 21-16 and 21-15 as the set scores. The Lady Maroons were prepared for this game however, and built a four-point lead late in the first set, 13-17. A down-the-line kill eventually finished the set in UP’s favor, 19-21.
[1st set] Dorog claims set point with a down the line kill.
Ateneo 19 UP 21#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/9ybCYoCKEa
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) October 5, 2018
The second set was mostly back-and-forth up until the technical timeout with UP leading by three, 9-12. The deficit remained throughout the set and the Blue and White called time with their season on the line, 16-19. A spike to the open spot at the rear of the court gave UP the win and the last spot in the Final Four, 19-21.
[2nd set] A well placed shot ends the game and the season for the Lady Eagles. Congratulations UP!
Ateneo 19 UP 21#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/hlkxDomLlg
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) October 5, 2018
After the match, Gaston remarked that the team was still trying to shake off their loss against FEU. “Even if they’re [behind], we still have to give our all, we still have to show them what we got,” commented Gaston.
When asked about next season, Gaston firmly stated, “expect that there’s going to be a comeback now, that we have [more] experience and no excuses.” The Ateneo Women’s Beach Volleyball team will definitely be one to watch out for next year.
Set Scores
Ateneo-FEU: 21-15, 15-21, 13-15
Ateneo-UE: 21-10, 21-11
Ateneo-UP: 19-21, 19-21
