WINNING their tenth consecutive game to cement their spot in the Final Four, the Ateneo Lady Eagles defeated the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in four sets, 25-14, 24-26, 25-17, 25-19, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, April 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.  

Ateneo Head Coach Oliver Almadro started Deanna Wong, Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag, Bea De Leon, Ponggay Gaston, Jules Samonte, and Kim Gequillana at libero. Rookies Jeycel Delos Reyes and Vanie Gandler also made appearances off the bench.

Samonte, Madayag, Gaston, De Leon, and Tolentino all scored in double- digits, recording 13, 12, 10, 10, 12 points, respectively. A key factor in this well-balanced offensive effort was Wong who distributed the ball effectively with 33 excellent sets. Madayag and De Leon controlled the net with five and three kill blocks, respectively.

The Lady Eagles aggressively started the match with an early 4-0 run that capitalized on attacks and kill blocks to force NU to call a timeout, 5-1. A service error from the Lady Bulldogs sent Ateneo into the first technical timeout (TTO) at 8-4. The squad from Katipunan continued to dominate the taraflex as they dragged the Lady Bulldogs through a 6-0 run which forced Coach Norman Miguel to call his last timeout in the first set, 14-5. Madayag’s surprise 1-2 play was too much for the Lady Bulldogs as Ateneo closed out the first set, 25-14.

Tolentino denied NU entry to begin the second set, 1-0. Not to be outdone, the Lady Bulldogs banded together to go on a 3-0 run just a few sequences after to tie the game at 7-all courtesy of an attack error from Tolentino. The Lady Bulldogs maintained the momentum before a drop ball from Samonte forced NU to call their first timeout in the second set with the score at 13-12. The Lady Eagles entered the second TTO after a net violation was called on NU’s blockers, 16-13. Ateneo reached set point first through another net touch from the Lady Bulldogs but Ivy Lacsina’s crosscourt kill extended the set, 24-24. NU pounded on Ateneo’s blocking to end the second set with a 24-26 victory.

Continuing their momentum from the second set, the Lady Bulldogs scored the first two points in the third set through a kill block and a quick attack from their team captain, Roselyn Doria, 0-2. However, the Lady Eagles were able to take the lead and enter the first TTO with a two-point advantage over NU thanks to a powerful down the line spike from Gaston, 8-6. Madayag came alive with three consecutive points to propel Ateneo to a 19-13 lead. Tolentino scored off the block to give the Lady Eagles the third set win, 25-17.

It was another slow start for the Blue and White in the fourth set as NU took the first three points. Tolentino was able to score the first attack point for Ateneo off a cross court kill, 2-5. The Lady Bulldogs reached the first TTO ahead of the Lady Eagles by one point, 7-8. Despite surrendering their lead, the Lady Bulldogs went on a 3-0 run to overtake Ateneo, 11-12, prompting Coach Almadro to talk things over with his side. A 4-0 run and a massive block from Madayag forced NU into a timeout, 18-14. It was all over after Lacsina’s attack went wide handing the set and the match to the Lady Eagles, 25-19.

With this win, the Lady Eagles maintain their first seed standing and are now assured of a spot in the Final Four. The Blue and White will be looking for redemption in their next match against their collegiate rivals, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers. The showdown will take place at 4:00 PM on April 13 at the same venue. 

Set Score:

Ateneo-NU: 25-14, 24-26, 25-17, 25-19

Photo by Zoey Ignacio