BUILDING ON the momentum from their four-set victory in Game 2 of the Finals against the formidable University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, the Lady Eagles were crowned the Season 81 champions of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Women’s Volleyball Tournament after they dominated in straight sets, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, on Saturday, May 18.

Kat Tolentino finished with 15 points, consisting of 11 spikes, three kill blocks, and an ace. Co-captain Maddie Madayag helped clinch the game with 10 points, while Deanna Wong recorded a double-double with 12 excellent digs and 16 excellent sets.

The Lady Eagles capitalized on 29 errors from UST, while the Blue and White kept their error count at 16. Ateneo dominated on the defensive end as they had an astounding 14 kill blocks as compared to UST’s three.

Coach Oliver Almadro utilized his gutsy veterans to begin the match, with Bea de Leon, Madayag, Tolentino, Ponggay Gaston, Wong, Jules Samonte, and libero Kim Gequillana all starting for the Katipunan-based side.

A long serve from Wong gave the first point of the match to the Golden Tigresses, but the Lady Eagles showed their determination as they later went on a 5-1 run. By the first technical timeout (TTO), Ateneo was able to score off three kill blocks–two from Samonte and one from co-captain De Leon.

An attack error from Sisi Rondina and a distribution error by UST extended the Blue and White’s lead to five points, forcing Golden Tigresses Head Coach Kungfu Reyes to call timeout, 10-5. A block from De Leon and an attack error on Rookie of the Year Eya Laure kept Ateneo’s lead intact, 16-12, heading to the second TTO of the set. Samonte’s block on UST’s Dimdim Pacres marked the former’s third denial of the set and extended Ateneo’s run to 5-0, prompting another UST timeout, 19-12.

The Lady Eagles did not step off the gas as they extended their run to 8-0 off after Tolentino blocked Laure, 22-12. A wide return from Tolentino stopped the bleeding for UST in the following possession, 22-13. The team from España would then go on a 4-0 run, 23-17, ending with a cross-court winner from De Leon as Ateneo inched closer to set point. An attack error on Sisi Rondina ultimately conceded the set to the Blue and White, 25-17.

The Lady Eagles’ blocking spree continued well into the second set after veterans Madayag and Tolentino combined for three blocks before the first TTO. UST answered back by amping up their offense, with Golden Tigress Ysabel Jimenez scoring back-to-back aces to give her team the advantage, 7-8. Rondina was at the center of five successful UST attacks as the Blue and White struggled to spike effectively, falling behind at the second TTO, 12-16. Not fazed by the pressure, the Katipunan-based squad went on a lead-shattering 5-0 run after Samonte scored an ace and UST made three straight errors, 17-16. Two consecutive service aces from Wong and a kill block from Gaston put Ateneo far enough to escape an extended set, 23-20. The Blue and White won the second set after Rondina touched the net due to an awkward landing after an attack, 25-22.

One set away from the championship, the Lady Eagles took the first point of the third set following an attack error from Laure. It was a close affair after the first TTO, 8-6, but Tolentino’s four lethal attacks anchored a 6-1 run heading into the second TTO, 16-9. Not going down without a fight, Rondina scorched the floor to bring the Golden Tigresses down by just four as UST inched their way back in the game. Laure and Rondina answered every kill from Gaston and Madayag with two of their own, eventually tying the set, 22-22. Ultimately, a crucial drop-ball attack and spike from Madayag tipped the scales in favor of the Blue and White. It was Season 79’s Rookie of the Year Jules Samonte who won the championship point with an off-the-block kill, 25-22.

De Leon took home Finals MVP honors. The fiery leader of the Lady Eagles was part of the last championship of Ateneo back in Season 77 as a rookie.

“I’m just so grateful, honestly, and I just want to put it out there that it was all Him,” she said, thanking God and the team. “Coach told us to trust Him and trust the team and I couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who supported us.”

She ends her UAAP career and leaves Ateneo a champion once more together with graduating seniors Madayag and Gequillana while Tolentino has the option to play for another year.

Photo by Jason Mariano

Set Scores: 25-17, 25-22, 25-22