THE ATENEO Blue Eagles claimed the first game in the best-of-three V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge Championship after they staved off the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons in five intense sets, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 24-26, 18-16. The finals match was held earlier today at the Paco Arena in the City of Manila. 

Team Captain Faith Nisperos had a stellar performance of 35 points on 33 attacks, including an eight-point output in the deciding set of the match, setting up her squad for a 14-9 advantage. This incredible outing by Nisperos matched her career-best back in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference, where Ateneo fought for third place.  

Vanie Gandler also contributed for the Blue and White with 20 points of her own, including four impressive aces and two blocks. Alexis Miner meanwhile held the fort down in the middle by putting up 18 markers. 

As expected, the Lady Falcons did not shy away from posing a challenge for the Katipunan-based team in the finals. Adamson veterans Trisha Tubu and Rizza Cruz racked up 17 and 16 points, respectively, capitalizing on the 40 errors committed by the Blue Eagles.

Coach Oliver Almadro emphasized the importance of the development of his young team in his post-game interview. “We’re not thinking about the championship right away, we’re thinking of the process. I know I have a new team, most of them ngayon lang nag-start (I know I have a new team, most of them just started). It’s all about the process,” he shared. 

With one win away from the title, the Ateneo Blue Eagles will look to close out the Adamson Lady Falcons and claim the V-League championship crown on Wednesday, November 30, at 5:00 PM at Paco Arena. 

Set scores:

Ateneo-Adamson: 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 24-26, 18-16