THE ATENEO Lady Eagles defeated the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons in three sets, 20-22, 21-16, 15-12 and fell to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers in two sets, 15-21, 19-21, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 Women’s Beach Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, September 29, at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City. These match results put the Lady Eagles at an even 3-3 slate.

In the first match of the day, Ateneo’s Ponggay Gaston and Rona Mae Doromal challenged UP’s Roselyn Rosier and Eureka Eslapor. Fluid offensive plays and errors from the Fighting Maroons allowed the Lady Eagles an early cushion, 8-4. UP responded with their own run, outsmarting the Lady Eagles with off-speed attacks, 15-16. Ateneo could not keep the UP offense at bay the rest of the way, and an error from Gaston gifted the set, 20-22.

The Lady Eagles led early in the second set, 5-2, but Rosier’s pinpoint service dragged UP back level. Both teams traded kills, 9-8, before Ateneo sparked a 5-0 run from Gaston’s offensive play. Ateneo was able to extend the game to a third set after a net error by UP, 21-16.

In the deciding set, it was UP who raced out to an early advantage, 1-5, thanks to Eslapor’s well-placed shots. However, the Lady Eagles did not lose composure, turning in a 7-1 run to pull ahead. Doromal rallied Ateneo the rest of the way and ended the thriller with a spike, 15-12.

In the second match of the day, Ateneo faced the undefeated DLSU duo of Tin Tiamzon and Justine Jaravata. La Salle’s scoring threat was on full display in the first set, keeping the Lady Eagles from building crucial momentum. The Lady Archers pulled away with a 6-0 run, 19-11, before Tiamzon tucked the set away with a monster spike down the middle, 21-15.

In the deciding set, Ateneo matched their opponents step-for-step. The Blue and White executed precise 1-2 plays to challenge the speed of La Salle’s defense, 5-1. However, Jaravata stole the show with clever kills to reignite La Salle’s offense. DLSU took the set and the match through consecutive drop ball plays by Jaravata, 21-19. 

After the match, Coach JP Pareja stressed the importance of taking today’s results as a learning experience, especially with Final Four contention in the balance. “This was a nice tune-up match for us [to prepare for the match] against Adamson to secure a Final Four spot. The girls are excited to enter the Final Four, but I reminded them to take things one step at a time,” Pareja said.

The Lady Eagles’ Final Four hopes rest on their next match against Adamson University (1-3) at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, October 2, at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.

Set Scores: 

Ateneo-UP: 20-22, 21-16, 15-12

Ateneo-DLSU: 15-21, 19-21