THE ATENEO Blue Eagles fell to the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in straight sets, 20-25, 18-25, 15-25, earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the City of Manila. The loss puts the Blue Eagles at a 2-3 win-loss standing in the elimination round of the Shakey’s Super League preseason. 

Ateneo’s Geezel Tsunashima and Jennifer Delos Santos impressed with vigorous attacking performances, clinching a total of seven points each. AC Miner relied on her running attacks to generate points, capping a total of seven markers in the contest as well. Meanwhile, NU’s Bella Belen and Minerva Maaya took care of business by securing set leads, gaining a total of 13 and nine points respectively for their squad. 

The Blue Eagles opened the first set with an aggressive offensive performance, but were challenged in their floor defense against the Lady Bulldogs’ equally strong attack front. The Katipunan-based squad’s faulty reception in the opening set gave the Lady Bulldogs the upperhand, as Evagiline Alinsug, Maaya, and Sheena Toring challenged Ateneo’s composure with unforgiving crosscourt and quick attacks. Alyssa Solomon and Toring finished the job with a monster block to secure the set for NU, 20-25.

Eager to deny a straight set sweep against the Manila-based squad, Tsunashima, Miner, and Buena fired back with powerful offensive performances in the second set. However, with assertive attacks and powerful tips, NU’s Myrtle Escanlar and Aishat Bello denied the Blue Eagles’ attempt to seize a set win once again. The Lady Bulldogs’ synergy led to their triumphant second-set victory, 18-25.

NU’s Belen, who clinched the Most Valuable Player of the Match honors, spearheaded the third set win alongside Alinsug and Solomon. Despite challenging the defending champions with timely defensive stops, Tsunashima and Miner’s strenuous efforts to extend the match were not enough to upset the Lady Bulldogs. A service error from Ateneo in the final play of the match paved the way for NU’s convincing victory, 15-25. 

Hopeful to avenge the loss, Ateneo looks to bounce back into form against the University of Santo Tomas on October 28, Saturday, 5:00 PM at the same venue.

Set Scores: Ateneo-NU: 20-25, 18-25, 15-25