THE ATENEO Lady Eagles stayed hot as they pulled off a stellar comeback against the gritty University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in a tightly contested match, 19-25, 22-25, 27-25, 25-22, 15-11, to open the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday, March 20, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Coach Oliver Almadro deployed his usual starters comprised of Bea De Leon, Maddie Madayag, Ponggay Gaston, Jules Samonte, Kat Tolentino, Deanna Wong, and Kim Gequillana at libero. Janel Maraguinot, Vanie Gandler, Erika Raagas, and Dani Ravena also saw time on the court.

Madayag made a historic performance as she garnered 23 points on 11 spikes, one ace, and a record-breaking 11 blocks—the most blocks in a match since the final four era began. Kat Tolentino helped the cause with 20 markers. Dani Ravena also played a meaningful game as she had 20 excellent digs while playing as the team’s libero for the final three sets of the match. Sisi Rondina led the Golden Tigresses with a monstrous 35-point outing.  

 The Golden Tigresses were on a mission as they pounded the Lady Eagles early in the first set as they built a six-point lead, 2-8, heading into the first technical timeout (TTO) of the match. The Blue and White struggled heavily as UST’s lead ballooned to a daunting 12 points, 8-20. The Lady Eagles did not back down, however, going on an 11-3 run, to keep things interesting at 19-23. However, an attack error from Raagas sealed the first set for the Golden Tigresses, 19-25.

In the second set, the Golden Tigresses continued their onslaught, as they built another early lead heading into the first TTO of the set, 3-8. However, the Lady Eagles responded with better composure as they went on an 8-3 run to tie things up, 11-11. The España-based side was relentless as they answered back with a 5-2 run, to take back the lead heading into the second TTO of the match, 16-13. It was a back and forth affair between the two squads before UST eventually pulled away through Rondina’s off-the-block kill to capture the second set for the Golden Tigresses, 22-25.

Down two sets to none, the Katipunan-based squad came up with a 4-1 run to grab the lead, 8-4, entering the first TTO. The Lady Eagles stayed on the attack as they maintained their lead at four, 14-10, before the Golden Tigresses clawed their way back with 6-2 run to bring things to a deadlock at 16-16. Both squads would not let up as the score was deadlocked in five instances thereafter in the 18, 19, 21, 24, and 25-point marks. However, Lady Eagles Team Captain De Leon came through for the team as she delivered a service ace to earn their first set and keep Ateneo in the match, 27-25.

The Golden Tigresses roared early as they began the fourth set with a 4-1 lead over the Lady Eagles. The Blue and White would turn things around via a 6-0 run to take the lead at 7-4. UST responded with a 4-0 run of their own to reclaim the lead, 7-8, as the first TTO of the set was called. Despite holding a 12-16 lead midway through the set, UST would surrender their lead to Ateneo’s heavy offensive effort, 23-20. Tolentino delivered for the Blue and White as she converted on a crucial kill to force a fifth set, 25-22.

In the deciding set, both teams offered no breathing room as things were close at the onset. The Lady Eagles called timeout early as the Growling Tigers secured a two-point lead, 2-4, after a service ace from Kecelyn Galdones. The Katipunan-based squad would  tie things, 5-5, after a cross-court kill from Gaston. The Lady Eagles would continue to play catch-up before the match headed into a deadlock at 10-10. The Blue and White would then go on a 3-0 run to build a rather comfortable lead at 13-10. With the Lady Eagles leading, 14-11, UST’s lifeline Rondina committed a costly error as her attack hit the antenna, giving the gutsy victory to the Lady Eagles, 15-11.

After the victory, Coach Oliver Almadro commended her team’s efforts in the comeback win. “Well, UST really came prepared today, but my players really fought well, and [their] resiliency was really there,” he said. “I really admire my players because of the trust they’re giving me, I just told them not to give up, it will come, just be patient and have fun.”

Meanwhile, Madayag was startled after finding out about her record-breaking feat. “I just played my game [and] I just contributed whatever I can for the team.”

With this win, the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team extends their winning streak to seven games to strengthen their position as the top team in the tourney with a 7-1 record.

The Lady Eagles’ next game is yet to be announced as the UAAP is still finalizing the final schedule of the second round.

Set scores: 19-25, 22-25, 27-25, 25-22, 15-11

Box Score:

ATENEO: Madayag – 23, Tolentino – 20, De Leon – 11, Gaston – 10, Samonte – 9, Wong – 3, Raagas – 3, Gandler – 2, Ravena – 1

UST: Rondina – 35, Laure – 21, Pacres – 9, Galdones – 8, Viray – 2, Galanza – 2, Jimenez – 2