THE ATENEO Blue Eagles returned to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum earlier today for their second game in the Shakey’s Super League against the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Lady Bombers. Ateneo successfully dominated over JRU in a three-set sweep, 25-20, 25-17, 25-10.
This win puts the Blue Eagles at a 2-0 in the elimination round standing of the conference, following their last win over Arellano University last October 1.
The first set was opened by Ateneo’s usual line-up consisting of Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos, Joan Narit, and AC Miner. Although the Blue and White started slow, Gandler and rookie Gena Hora delivered with consistent attack points earning them seven and four points in the first set respectively. The Blue Eagles regained their footing with the help of Takako Fujimoto’s excellent setting connections with her spikers that overwhelmed the Lady Bombers, closing the set at 25-20.
Utilizing their second stringers in the following set, Ateneo commanded court momentum and created a lead as big as 11 points over JRU, 15-4. Even when JRU put their best spiker Mary Ruiz, opposite hitter Lyann de Guzman showcased a mix of skills in blocking, serving, and attacking, earning 10 points in the second set alone. Ateneo’s bench unit displayed excellent chemistry that led to well-executed plays, coming from Fujimoto’s sets and libero Roma Doromal’s impressive reception.
In the third set, JRU showed great energy and playing speed, making up for their lacking defense in the first and second set. However, the Blue Eagles responded with an even better offense, utilizing their rookie middle blocker Yvana Sulit to lead the team with an impressive 11 points. De Guzman stayed consistent with her attacks and service aces, earning 5 points for the set.
When asked about the second stringers’ performance in this match, Doromal said, “I’m very happy with the performance of the second stringers because I know na naghihirap talaga sila and they work hard sa training. Kitang-kita sa game na nabigay nila ang best nila and I’m happy kasi they’re all enjoying sa game kanina. (I’m very happy with the performance of the second stringers because I know that they struggle and they work hard during training. It was really seen in the game that they gave their best and I’m happy because they’re all enjoying the game a while ago).”
Meanwhile, de Guzman attributed their win to Ateneo’s good movement on the court. “All of us did great, naging consistent talaga yung mga galaw namin. We just did good talaga, hindi naman naging spectacular galaw namin naging matalino lang kung paano maglaro (All of us did great, our movement became really consistent. We really just did a good job, our movement was not really spectacular, but we played smart),” top-scorer de Guzman shared.
After opening the weekend with a victory, Ateneo is looking to continue their winning streak in the tournament as they go against the UAAP Season 84 defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs. The match will be held tomorrow, October 16, at 5:30PM at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila.
Box Scores:
Ateneo: De Guzman – 15, Sulit – 13, Ng – 11, Gandler – 10, Hora – 6, Tsunashima – 5, Fujimoto – 3, Nisperos – 3, Narit – 3, Miner – 3, Ildefonso – 2, Buena – 1
JRU: Rose – 9, Laurente – 8, Egera – 5, Amante – 4, Ruiz – 4, Niegos – 3, Pretta – 3, Silverio – 3, Batara – 3, Jasenero – 3, Villanueva – 1
Set Score:
Ateneo-JRU: 25-20, 25-17, 25-10
