THE ATENEO Blue Eagles (3-7) will now have a tougher road to the semifinals after Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws (5-4) completed their elimination-sweep of Katipunan’s volleybelles, 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 22-25. The game was held earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.
Although Ateneo remains in contention for a possible Final Four appearance, the Blue Eagles are now two games behind the fourth spot in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 standings.
Lyann De Guzman led the Blue and White in scoring with 15 points including four aces, along with 17 excellent digs. Meanwhile, Team Captain Roma Mae Doromal had a game-high 24 excellent receptions and 16 excellent digs despite the loss.
For the Lady Tamaraws, both Faida Bakanke and Chenie Tagaod posted 16 markers, with Tagaod coming away with a game-high 26 excellent sets.
Despite a tight start with the Lady Tamaraws clinging on to a slim one-point lead, the Blue Eagles eventually bounced back from a 9-11 deficit with a stellar 8-0 run, 17-11. The AWVT managed this by limiting FEU’s block points and banking on their five aces throughout the set.
Although the Lady Tamaraws would then close the gap through quick attacks, courtesy of Gerzel Petallo, 17-19, the Blue and White remained composed and never looked back. The Blue Eagles eventually closed out the opening frame strong with Zey Pacia scoring two of Ateneo’s last three points to take the set, 25-19.
Continuing their offensive showcase in the second frame, the Blue Eagles held on to a two-point advantage until a stalemate came up midway through, 16-16. Lady Tamaraw Bakanke immediately broke the deadlock and came away with three straight points to take a 19-16 advantage.
FEU’s onslaught would continue with Ann Asis and Petallo converting for the Green and Gold to extend their lead to 22-17, forcing Ateneo to call for time. After an ill-fated attempt by Zel Tsunashima to cut the Blue Eagles’ deficit, the Lady Tamaraws took the second set off four consecutive points, 25-20.
Banking on their newfound momentum, the Morayta-based squad completely dominated the third canto, leaping to an 11-6 lead off the heroics of Tagaod. Even with Ateneo coming up with multiple comeback attempts, cutting FEU’s lead to two at 16-18, the Lady Tamaraws were quick to respond. Following a 6-1 run to reach set point, Petallo sealed the third frame in favor of FEU, 25-20.
Despite Ateneo soaring to an 8-3 start in the fourth set, the Lady Tamaraws immediately countered with a 6-0 run to take the lead, 9-8. Now with a tight frame at hand, the Blue Eagles regained the advantage by relying on their defensive line, with Tsunashima converting on back-to-back blocks, 13-11.
The squad from Loyola Heights held on to their lead with Tsunashima manning the fort, outblocking the entire FEU side throughout the frame, 19-16. However, eager to put Ateneo away, Tagaod scored three consecutive points throughout the Lady Tamaraws’ 6-0 comeback bid, 22-19.
Even with Jennifer Delos Santos’ ace trimming the deficit to two, FEU swiftly capped off the match off a miscue by Ateneo, 25-22.
Following this loss against their opponents from Morayta, the Blue Eagles hope to bounce back as they take on the National University Bulldogs in a must-win match next Wednesday, April 10, 4:00 PM at the same venue.
Box scores:
Ateneo (1): De Guzman – 15, Buena – 14, Tsunashima – 12, Miner – 11, Sulit – 5, Delos Santos – 3, Pacia – 3, Fujimoto – 1, Nisperos – 1
FEU (3): Bakanke – 16, Tagaod – 16, Petallo – 15, J. Asis – 11, Ubaldo – 5, Panangin – 4, Papa – 2, A. Asis – 1
Set scores: 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 22-25
Standings (W-L):
- UST Golden Tigresses (9-1)
- DLSU Lady Spikers (8-1)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (8-2)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (5-4)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (3-7)
- UE Lady Red Warriors (2-7)
- AdU Lady Falcons (2-7)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-8)
