THE ATENEO Blue Eagles begin their first winning streak of the season after taking care of the reeling University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors in a four-set triumph, 25-16, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19. The University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UAAP) Season 85 Women’s Volleyball Tournament match was held earlier today at the PhilSports Arena in the City of Pasig. 

The Blue Eagles started strong in the beginning of the first set. Janine Lana’s service aces and powerful attacks were not enough to keep UE afloat as veteran Vanie Gandler capitalized on her soft touches and middle blocker Joan Narit maximized her tall height for Ateneo. The Lady Red Warriors were unable to respond to the attacks of rookie Geezel Tsunashima and middle blocker AC Miner, the latter securing the first set with a quick tip, 25-16.

The second set saw a closer start between both teams. Lana and rookie KC Cepada delivered impressive attacks for the Red and White. A back-and-forth battle in the offensive department took place in the latter part of the set with the Blue Eagles and the Lady Red Warriors countering each other. However, Team Captain Faith Nisperos led the Katipunan-based squad to a four-point lead, 20-16. Despite the combined efforts of Cepada and Lana on their powerful hits, Lyann de Guzman claimed the second set with an off-the-block hit, 25-23.

The Blue Eagles capitalized on the Red and White’s errors at the beginning of the third set. However, the Lady Red Warriors quickly regained their composure and hinged their attacks on Roma Doromal’s struggling first touches. Piling up on costly errors, Cepada continued to swift through the Blue Eagle defense. In addition to a reinforced offense, the Red and White managed to strengthen their defensive walls on the Katipunan-based squad. Despite another back-and-forth battle in the latter part of the set, the Blue Eagles’ net violation error gave the set to UE, 22-25.

The beginning of the fourth set started with a close battle as Ateneo and UE were quickly countering one another. Despite the back-to-back deadlocks, Tsunashima continued to deliver with her powerful kills. Nisperos also contributed from the wings and Miner was unstoppable with her running hits, exhibiting a team performance to provide Ateneo a seven-point cushion, 21-14.  Similar to the second set, de Guzman closed the match with a dunk, 25-19.

With this victory, Ateneo now moves to 3-5 in the UAAP standings, good for sixth out of eighth place in the league. The Blue Eagles look to continue their winning ways as they take on the Adamson University Lady Falcons on April 1, Saturday, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. 

Box scores:

Ateneo: Nisperos – 18, de Guzman – 9, Gandler – 9, Miner – 9, Narit – 9, Tsunashima – 8, Doromal – 1

UE: Lana – 18, Manalo – 18, Dionisio – 6, Pelaga – 4, Nieva – 2, Quizon – 2, Nogales – 1

Set scores:

25-16, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19