DESPITE ATTEMPTS to rebound from their heartbreaking defeat last Sunday, the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team (AWVT) suffered their second-straight loss of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87, falling to the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 23-25, 19-25, 15-25. The match was held earlier today at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
This loss puts the Blue Eagles at a 0-2 win-loss record in the elimination round standings of the Women’s Volleyball tournament. Moreover, the loss showed Ateneo’s struggles on net defense, with the Blue and White totaling zero blocks in the entire match.
The trifecta of Lyann De Guzman, AC Miner, and Alexia Montoro led the Blue Eagles in points despite the loss, with all of them copping nine markers in the match—none in the double digits. On the other hand, Player of the Game Alyssa Solomon ushered for the Blue and Gold in points, securing 12 throughout the three-set affair.
Early in the opening frame, the Blue Eagles were put on their heels after the Lady Bulldogs flaunted their offensive prowess through a four-point salvo, 1-4. However, Miner and Montoro loaded the Katipunan-based squad’s attacking ammunition, bringing Ateneo at striking distance, 6-7.
Despite the Blue Eagles’ attempt to keep up with the high-octane Lady Bulldogs, Ateneo lost their momentum when reigning Most Valuable Player Mhicaela Belen tallied three consecutive points for NU, 8-13. Ateneo was forced to call a timeout after NU’s lead ballooned to its biggest in the set at six, 13-19, courtesy of back-to-back scores via a spike and an ace from Erin Pangilinan.
Off a timeout, Ateneo showed signs of life after an emphatic attack from De Guzman, and back-to-back errors from NU, putting them back in the game at 16-19. At the latter part of the set, despite the Katipunan-based squad being down by five, 18-23, rookies Jihan Chuatico and Montoro powered Ateneo’s 4-0 run with their offensive spree that trimmed the lead to one, 22-23. However, Vange Alinsug spoiled Ateneo’s comeback attempt after easily drilling the last two points of NU to close the set, 23-25.
At the start of the second set, the Blue and White immediately fell to a 0-4 hole after falling for several decoys from the Blue and Gold’s offense. Ateneo’s weak net defense further maintained this point gap, 4-8.
As the frame progressed, NU’s back-row attacks continued to wreak havoc against the Blue Eagles’ defense, stretching their lead to a 21-14 advantage. Determined to halt the bleeding, Ateneo soared to a 4-0 run off mostly swipes, 19-23. However, a critical service error by the Blue Eagles allowed the Lady Bulldogs to run away with the set win via a decisive cross by Solomon, 19-25.
Despite the Blue Eagles’ eagerness to force the match into a five-setter, they were quickly plunged into hot water by the Lady Bulldogs who established an early six-point lead, 5-11. Throughout the set, the Solomon-led squad remained in the driver’s seat that kept Ateneo between the crosshairs of NU’s attacks.
Toward the end of the frame, the Blue Eagles faced their first double-digit deficit at 14-24, after the Lady Bulldogs arranged a masterful 9-4 salvo. Ateneo ran out of steam, allowing NU rookie Celine Marsh to hit a vicious attack to their opponent’s campfire, sealing the match, 25-15.
Still in search of their first win, the Blue Eagles will face their Katipunan rivals, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, on Sunday, February 23, at 2:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Box scores:
Ateneo (0): De Guzman – 9, Miner – 9, Montoro – 9, Chuatico – 8, Sulit -3
NU (3): Solomon – 12, Alinsug – 10, Belen – 9, Pangilinan – 6, Maaya – 6, Toring – 3, Lamina – 2, Marsh – 2, Pono – 1
Set scores:
Ateneo-NU: 23-25, 19-25, 15-25
Current Standings (W-L)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (2-0)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (1-0)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-0)
- AdU Lady Falcons (1-0)
- DLSU Lady Spikers (0-1)
- UE Lady Red Warriors (0-1)
- UST Golden Tigresses (0-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-2)
