ENDING THEIR three-game winning streak, the Ateneo Blue Eagles were defeated by the University of the Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in a four-set match, 19-25, 21-25, 31-29, 31-33, earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA) in Pasay City.
Following the loss, the Blue Eagles now drop down the standings with a 3-4 record at the end of first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Opening the game immediately with points off two consecutive errors by the Golden Tigresses, the Blue Eagles defended the floor with solid blocks to gain an early one-point advantage, 4-3. However, top-scorer Faith Nisperos’ offense began breaking down in the middle of the set as her team was unable to capitalize on UST’s own back-to-back attack errors.
Taking control of the game, the Golden Tigresses drilled Ateneo with a 5-1 run, courtesy of the team’s combined scoring led by standout Eya Laure—ending the first set, 19-25, in UST’s favor.
Down by one set, the Blue Eagles started the second canto hot with Vanie Gandler’s four attack points dominantly carrying them past UST, 10-5. Yet Laure was quick to build on her momentum in the first set, as she pounded on Ateneo’s defense with her strong kills to snatch a 6-1 lead for UST. KC Galdones put on an impressive showing in the second, as she contributed varied attacks for the team, where Galdones closed the set with two straight points as Ateneo fell short, 21-25.
The Blue Eagles continued to struggle halting outside hitter Laure’s attempts in the third set as she was joined by Imee Hernandez and Galdones in scorching Ateneo from the middle. The twin towers of Hernandez and Galdones were able to check the hitters of Ateneo and keep them at bay in the early part of the set, 11-16. However, the momentum shifted the Katipunan squad’s way when Joan Narit and benchplayer Erika Raagas were given plays by setter Jaja Maraguinot. Narit and Raagas responded to UST’s offense with attacks from the sideline and transition plays to keep the score close. Blocks by the trio Miner, Narit, and Nisperos propelled Ateneo to tie the set at 23-23.
All spectators were at the edge of their seats as both teams exchanged points and attack errors while searching for an opening. Ateneo managed to extend the game when Gandler made a powerful crosscourt followed by a missed hit by Tapia to win the third set for the Blue Eagles, 31-29.
Surviving the previous nerve-racking set, the Blue Eagles shrugged off an early 2-6 deficit as Nisperos, Gandler, and Joan Narit took care of the offense and refused to let UST pull away further. It was Imee Hernandez who stepped up for the Golden Tigresses in the fourth set as she combined efforts with Laure and Galdones at the attack lines, resulting in a three-point UST lead 15-18.
With both teams mirroring their scoring patterns in the third set, they kept each other’s runs in check, exchanging powerful kills only to offset these with unforced errors. Once again delayed in their comeback, Ateneo forced multiple match points only to fall short, 31-33.
Nisperos and Gandler led Ateneo’s offense with 22 and 18 points, respectively. Both teams committed multiple errors, with 29 and 39 errors for Ateneo and UST, respectively.
As the first round comes to a close, the Blue Eagles sit on a precarious 3-4 record in the standings. They aim to bounce back in the second round of eliminations, as they seek to keep their title retention bid alive.
Set Scores:
Ateneo-UST: 19-25, 21-25, 31-29, 31-33
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Nisperos – 22, Gandler – 18, Miner – 7, Raagas – 6, Fujimoto – 2, Doromal – 1, De Guzman – 1, Ildefonso – 1
UST: Laure – 31, Hernandez – 14, Galdones – 12, Tapia – 11, Jimenez – 7, Ecalla – 4, Victoria – 3, Galanza – 1
