The Ateneo Lady Eagles fell victim to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in straight sets, 17-25, 16-25, 20-25, as the latter drew first blood in Game 1 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Finals held today, May 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Cubao.

The finals campaign for the Blue and White began with their usual starters in Jules Samonte, Ponggay Gaston, Kat Tolentino, Deanna Wong, Maddie Madayag, Bea De Leon, and Kim Gequiliana as libero. Rookies Vanie Gandler, Janel Maraguinot, Erika Raagas, and reserve libero Dani Ravena also saw action in the loss.

Despite recording 19 excellent receptions and 44 excellent digs, Ateneo only notched 5 kill blocks and 12 excellent sets in the entire match. Tolentino was the lone Lady Eagle to score in double-digits as she garnered 12 points, while Madayag and Samonte only managed to score six points apiece.

UST Team Captain Sisi Rondina, who was seemingly unstoppable throughout the match, led the offensive attack for UST with 23 points. The Golden Tigresses nearly doubled the Lady Eagles’ attack output as they converted 46 attack points compared to Ateneo’s 24. The España-based squad also registered 10 service aces to the Blue and White’s lone ace.

As early as the first set, UST capitalized on Ateneo’s empty zones five and six as Ejiya Laure soared and scored with cross court spikes, 2-4. The Golden Tigresses trampled the Lady Eagles going into the first technical timeout (TTO) with a 4-0 run and a sharp ace from Laure, 3-8. Ateneo continued to struggle as the Golden Tigresses maintained their momentum throughout the first set. An ace from Alina Bicar forced Head Coach Oliver Almadro to call for time, 10-18.

While De Leon was able to set up a wall against the Golden Tigresses’ offense, 16-22, Rondina fittingly ended the first set with a powerful running attack that surprised the Blue and White, 17-25. At the end of the opening set, Ateneo only registered five attacks as compared to UST’s 13. The Golden Tigresses also maximized on Ateneo’s faulty reception as they garnered four service aces.

The Golden Tigresses’ masterful offensive display carried over to the second set as they began with a 5-0 run, urging Coach Almadro to burn an early timeout. Tolentino managed to end the drought with an off-the-block kill but the streaking Lady Tigresses still took a sizeable 8-2 lead heading into the first TTO with another ace from UST’s Bicar.

After Ateneo trimmed the lead to four, 6-10, the squad from España went on a 6-1 run to extend their lead heading into the second TTO, 7-16. The Blue and White launched a 6-2 run to prevent the Lady Tigresses from pulling away, 13-18. But after Madayag’s running spike, the Lady Eagles were unable to respond to the UST onslaught. The Golden Tigresses ended the second set on an astounding 7-2 run after Jimenez converted on an ace that closed out the set, 16-25.

Beginning with Tolentino’s cross court kill, the third set proved to be a tighter contest as both teams battled for the lead, 5-5. The Golden Tigresses gained an advantage midway through the third set after UST capitalized on Ateneo’s misreceive, 10-14, prompting Coach Almadro to switch out Gaston for Raagas. UST entered the second TTO on top of the Blue and White after Galdones scored off a 1-2 play, 11-16.

Tolentino powered Ateneo through the UST block with a strong backrow spike, 20-21. An attack error from Raagas and a successful kill from Rondina pushed the lead to three, 20-23, forcing Coach Almadro to call a timeout. After another conversion from Rondina and an errant ball from Raagas, UST took the set and the first match of the best of three finals series.

The Lady Eagles will look to extend the series in a do-or-die Game 2 on Wednesday, May 15 at 4:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Set Scores: 17-25, 16-25, 20-25

Photo by Joshua Tan