THE ATENEO Women’s Volleyball Team wrapped up their final second round fixture with a straight-set loss to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 18-25, 18-25, 19-25. The match took place earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in the City of Manila.
As they enter the quarterfinals with a twice-to-win disadvantage, the Blue Eagles settle for fourth with an overall 3-4 win-loss record in Pool F of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship.
Team Captain Lyann De Guzman led the Blue and White with nine points all on attacks. Jennifer Delos Santos followed closely with eight markers off six kills, one block, and one ace.
On the side of FEU, Alyzza Devosora was named Player of the Match, being the lone player in a double-digit scoring with 14 points off 11 attacks, two denials, and one unanswered service.
The clash between the Blue Eagles and Lady Tamaraws started with a trade-off of points. Ateneo’s Zel Tsunashima and Sobe Buena led the charge early, keeping the score level at 8-8. Breaking the deadlock, the Blue Eagles quickly fell to a four-point deficit as errors started mounting on their side of the court, 8-12.
Showing their resolve, the Katipunan-based squad surged to tie the game at 15-all and bring the game back into their hands, courtesy of their excellent floor coverage and unpredictable attacks from Buena, De Guzman, and Yvanna Sulit. Not to be outdone, however, the Lady Tamaraws stamped their class, with multiple quick attacks from Jazly Ellarina and a roaring kill from Gerzel Petallo bringing the first set to a close, 18-25.
The Sergio Veloso-led unit recalibrated their strategies in the second canto, as a new set of Blue Eagles entered the court. Persistent deadlocks ensued at the onset, 7-7, but the Lady Tamaraws remained relentless in their onslaught. FEU veteran Jean Asis converted consecutive running attacks, allowing the Morayta-based squad to secure a five-point run, 18-12.
Undeterred by Asis’ offense, Delos Santos blocked the former’s attempt for another running attack, 13-18. However, Devosora quickly returned momentum on FEU’s side after denying AC Miner’s quick attack, 22-14.
Despite Coach Veloso injecting his starting six back into the court and De Guzman attempting to cut the Blue Eagles’ deficit, the Green and Gold leaned on the heroics of Devosora and Nikka Medina to secure the set, 25-18.
Looking to sweep the Blue Eagles in their penultimate match, the Lady Tamaraws capitalized on three straight errors from Ateneo, starting the set 5-2. Catapulted by their aggressive attacks down the middle, the squad from Morayta extended their lead with the help of Clarisse Loresco and Asis, 12-7.
The error-plagued Blue Eagles quickly found themselves in a seven-point hole, 13-20, off communication miscues. Delos Santos then rattled off two cross court attacks that served to be a spark for the Blue Eagles, as the team pulled to within two points, 19-21. Determined to finish the battle, however, the Lady Tamaraws turned to two of their leading scorers, as both Chenie Tagaod and Devosora closed the match, 19-25.
Striving to break into the semifinal round, the Blue and White will await the outcome of the matches on Wednesday, October 30, with their opponent still to be decided on.
Box scores:
Ateneo (0): De Guzman – 9, Delos Santos – 8, Miner – 5, Buena – 4, Tsunashima – 3, Sulit – 3, Nisperos – 2, Njigha – 1, Chuatico – 1, Cortez – 1, Fujimoto – 1
FEU (3): Devosora – 14, Tagaod – 6, J. Asis – 6, Ellarina – 6, Petall0 – 5, Pendon – 3, Loresco – 3, A. Asis – 3, Ubaldo – 3, Medina – 2, Miranda – 2, Premaylon – 1
Set scores:
Ateneo-FEU: 18-25, 18-25, 19-25
Pool F Standings (W-L):
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (2-0)
- UST Golden Tigresses (2-1)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-3)
