THE ATENEO Blue Eagles emerged victorious in their season-ender against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25. The University of Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 bout was held earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
With the win, the Blue Eagles officially capped off this season at seventh in the rankings with a final 5-9 win-loss record.
Demonstrating her determination to win Ateneo’s last match of the season, AC Miner went back to her comfort zone as a middle blocker to deliver an impressive performance, garnering her 13 points off 11 kills and two blocks to go along with four digs. Meanwhile, rookie Jihan Chuatico served as the star of this match, totalling 16 points from 11 attacks, four denials, and an ace.
Eager to pick up one final win at the end of the preliminary round, the two teams entered into a defensive warfare at the onset of the first frame, 3-3, with both squads denying easy points from one another. Ateneo managed to eke out a small but substantial 6-4 lead, courtesy of a service ace from Chuatico and a kill from Miner. Nevertheless, the standstill persisted while the rallies prolonged, 10-10.
Later in the frame, Chuatico’s lightning-fast quick attack from the 10-foot line sparked a stellar 5-0 run from the Blue and White, bringing the score to 18-13. However, this momentum quickly went kaput after the Lady Warriors unleashed a flurry of attacks against the Blue Eagles’ backline, 22-19. Unwilling to make the game even tighter, Chuatico secured back-to-back kills to clinch the opening set for Ateneo, 25-21.
The Blue Eagles carried their efficient offensive momentum in the opening of the second frame, pioneered by Zey Pacia and Miner’s four quick attacks that forced the tailing UE to call a timeout at 8-7. The Lady Warriors then quickly took over the driver’s seat with a 7-1 blitz that plunged Ateneo into a three-point deficit, 11-14.
Trying to bring the Blue Eagles back in the game, Alexia Montoro came off the bench and orchestrated a solo 3-0 run, but was immediately spoiled by UE with their own version of 3-0 salvo that further extended their lead to five, 23-18. Although Ateneo’s 5-1 run led by De Guzman placed them within striking distance, 23-24, Van Bangayan put the nail in the coffin with a set-clinching spike, 25-23.
Bouncing back from their close second-set loss, Ateneo entered the third frame with a more distributed offense, as setter Taks Fujimoto consistently utilized multiple decoys and crafty attacks to create a powerful 8-2 Ateneo lead. Though UE slowly chipped away at their deficit, the Blue and White still held a comfortable advantage in the third with the help of their opponents’ errors.
The set appeared to be in the grasp of the Blue Eagles at the tail end of the frame, as the Katipunan-based squad easily read the Lady Warriors’ offense for crucial blocks. Chuatico eventually blew out the fire in UE’s defensive attempts, with a set-winning dink that secured the frame, 25-16.
Keen on sealing the game, the Blue Eagles tussled persistently with the Lady Warriors in a back-and-forth affair at the start of the fourth set. However, UE created some breathing room after establishing a five-point lead, 15-10, fueled by a Khy Cepada attack and a back-to-back Bangayan block.
Falling to UE’s momentum, Ateneo took heavy pounding after the Lady Warriors mounted a 5-1 run via a pair of blocks and attacks, 20-12. However, Ateneo slowly clawed back with a 10-2 run by exploiting the error-laden UE, 21-23. Despite the Recto-based side reaching set point, 24-21, the Blue and White forced a deadlock at 24-24 after a De Guzman attack and back-to-back UE errors.
While Cepada’s spike helped the Lady Warriors regain the lead, 25-24, the Blue Eagles went on an offensive spree that powered three consecutive points, ending in a statement block that flustered UE’s defense, 27-25.
Following the match, Atenean tactician Sergio Veloso shared his pride in the Blue and White for never giving up in their injury-riddled season. According to the Brazilian native, the Blue Eagles showcased they were stronger than last season’s squad in spite of what their 5-9 record might say, repeatedly taking sets from the top teams.
After what could be described as a stormy stretch of games, the Blue Eagles ultimately regained their balance with a victory over UE—an ideal coda to their UAAP Season 87 stint. With 2026 on the horizon, the Blue and White aim to recalibrate their tactics and roster in hopes of finally ending their long playoff drought.
Box scores:
Ateneo (3): Chuatico – 16, De Guzman – 13, Miner – 13, Montoro – 11, Pacia – 8, Buena – 6
UE (1): Bangayan – 16, Cepada – 14, Balingit – 13, Nogales – 10, Ecalla – 4, Famulagan – 4, Reyes – 1
Set scores:
Ateneo-UE: 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25
Current Standings (W-L):
- NU Lady Bulldogs (11-2)
- UST Golden Tigresses (9-4)
- DLSU Lady Spikers (9-4)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (8-5)
- UP Fighting Maroons (6-7)
- AdU Lady Falcons (5-8)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (5-9)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-14)
