THE ATENEO Women’s Volleyball Team fell to their archrivals, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, 14-25, 17-25, 25-16, 19-25 in their first match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Volleyball Tournament, on Sunday, February 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Kat Tolentino led the scoring for the Lady Eagles with 16 points while Bea De Leon backed her up with eight points. The defending champions, on the other hand, were led by Desiree Cheng with 13 points.

The Lady Archers came out of the gates looking to stamp their authority early on as they raced to an early lead, 4-8, heading into the first technical timeout (TTO) of the match. The Taft-based squad continued to pound Ateneo into submission as they reached the halfway point of the set, 10-16. The Lady Eagles were unable to find their groove as they committed a lackadaisical 12 errors while their counterparts committed six. The Blue and White was unable to mount a comeback as they dropped the first set, 25-14.

In the second set, the Lady Eagles came out more aggressive as they went back-and-forth with the Lady Spikers. Head Coach Oliver Almadro’s side managed to build a small lead, 10-8, after the first TTO of the set. However, the Lady Spikers responded and went on a 5-1 spree of their own to take the lead, 13-11.

Despite Ateneo’s quick 3-0 response immediately after, the Lady Eagles maintained their aggressive play as they headed into the second TTO of the match with a 16-15 lead. Coach Ramil de Jesus’ side continued their onslaught, capping off the set with a 9-2 run to secure the second set, 25-17.

The third set was a different story as the Lady Eagles displayed a much more focused demeanor, quickly erecting an early 8-5 lead against the Taft-based squad. The Lady Eagles were relentless as they went on a 6-2 run to widen the gap at 14-7. Despite DLSU’s efforts to cut the lead, 14-18, the Lady Eagles responded with a 7-2 run that was capped off with a service ace from Jules Samonte which captured the set for the Blue and White, 25-16.

In the fourth set, the Lady Spikers opened the set strong as they took an early 9-4 lead. The Lady Eagles answered back with a 5-2 run to inch closer, 9-11. Both teams traded blows before DLSU built a comfortable 16-12 lead heading into the second TTO. The Blue and White attempted to stay in the game but the Lady Spikers’ lead ballooned to 24-19. DLSU Team Captain Cheng delivered the final blow to the Lady Eagles with a service ace, 25-19.

After the game, DLSU Coach Ramil de Jesus had this to say about his former assistant and current Ateneo counterpart, Oliver Almadro: “As of now, nag-aadjust pa yung team nila, eventually, mapapatakbo niya rin ng maayos yan.”

(As of now, the team is still adjusting, but eventually, he will be able to run the team better.)

The Lady Eagles will look to bounce back at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, February 20, against the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Set Scores

Ateneo-DLSU: 14-25, 17-25, 25-16, 19-25

Box Scores

Ateneo: Tolentino – 16, De Leon – 8, Samonte – 7, Madayag – 5, Gaston – 3, Maraguinot – 2, Gandler – 1, Wong – 1,

DLSU: Cheng – 13, Luna – 11, Dela Cruz – 11, Ogunsanya – 10, Cobb – 8, Ipac – 4, Tiamzon – 2