THE ATENEO Blue Eagles clinched a win over the Mapúa University (MU) Lady Cardinals after a breathtaking match, 25-23, 25-20, 35-33, earlier this afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in the City of San Juan.

Showcasing the results of a new system headed by Head Coach Sergio Veloso, the Blue Eagles’ astounding victory puts them at a 1-0 win-loss standing in the elimination phase of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship.

Leading the Blue and White was Lyann De Guzman with 14 points on 13 attacks and one ace. Meanwhile, Player of the Game KC Cortez tallied 21 excellent sets and one point on an attack in her first game with Ateneo. Adding to the offensive prowess of the Blue Eagles are Sophia Buena and AC Miner with 11 points apiece in the victory.

The start of the contest saw Yvana Sulit set the tone for the Blue Eagles on an ace, followed by a rally that displayed each team’s offensive and defensive mastery, ending with a point for the Lady Cardinals. Upon exchanging cross court hits, the Lady Cardinals established a 5-0 run to lead 8-5 after the first technical timeout. Steering the offense was MU’s Roxie Dela Cruz who brought home markers for the Cardinals on off the block attacks to give her team a four-point cushion, 15-11. Falling behind 20-23, veterans De Guzman and Miner took charge to bring the set home for the Blue and White, 25-23, after a furious 5-0 burst.

With the SSL’s “all-to-play” rule in effect, the Blue Eagles saw the likes of right wing Hora and rookie setter Cortez in action in the second set, displaying their dominating skillset. With left wingers Ysa Nisperos and Jen Delos Santos, the Blue Eagles pounded the pavement, coming out the gates strong in Set 2 to command the first technical time of the frame, 8-4. However, a 3-0 run later on by the Lady Cardinals stunned Ateneo, earning back to back points off errors and cutting Ateneo’s  lead to three, 13-16. Towards the end, the Blue Eagles denied the Lady Cardinals a set with the floor defense of libero Sarah Hugo, 25-20.

With the game slipping away from them down two sets, the Lady Cardinals challenged the Blue Eagles in a tactical back and forth at the onset of Set 3. Upon a deadlock at eight, Cortez relied on De Guzman and Hora to achieve points, which remained tied through the midway point of the canto. Nicole Ong of the Lady Cardinals demonstrated her blocking agility, getting two straight blocks to extend her squad’s lead 18-14. Ateneo would then mount a serious comeback to extend the set past 25 in hopes of sweeping their opening match.

Winger Buena contained the deuces on the left wing, with Miner delivering quick hits and tip shots in the middle. With the score tied at 33, Cortez continued to feed De Guzman, scoring on a cross court and a down-the-line hit to deny the Lady Cardinals a fourth set, completing the sweep, 35-33.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles look to grab their second-straight victory as they battle the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, currently holding a 2-0 win-loss record, on Saturday, September 30, 2:00 PM at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Set Scores:

Ateneo-MU: 25-23, 25-20, 35-33

Box Scores:

Ateneo: De Guzman – 14, Buena – 11, Miner – 11, Hora – 10, Delos Santos – 5, Pacia – 4, Yvana Sulit – 3, Nisperos – 3, Selga – 2, Cortez – 1, Fujimoto – 1

MU: Dela Cruz – 16, Garcia – 10, De Guzman – 7, Babiera – 5, Ricablanca – 4, Gojol – 3, Ong – 3, Berces – 2, Manalo – 1, Marcos – 1