THE ATENEO Blue Eagles remain winless in their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 campaign after conceding to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in straight sets, 17-25, 17-25, 24-26. The match was held earlier today, March 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
In a losing effort, newly recovered veteran Zel Tsunashima had a statement game as she led the Blue Eagles with 11 points, all coming from attacks. Additionally, second-year player Jihan Chuatico notched seven points, fueled by her four blocks and kills.
The Blue Eagles went blow-for-blow against the Lady Tamaraws early in the first set, with contributions from all ends of the floor. Setting the pace early for Ateneo was rookie sensation Ana Hermosura, whose emphatic down-the-line attack kept the Katipunan-based squad within striking distance, 3-4. However, the Blue and White’s spacing and miscommunication errors allowed the opposition to gradually pull away, as FEU’s Faida Bakanke embarked on an offensive tear for the largest lead of the set, 7-12.
Refusing to back down, the Blue and White pieced together a 3-0 spurt, capped off by a highlight play from Dona De Leon to trim the deficit to 10-12. The Blue Eagles struggled to sustain the push, however, as costly mistakes allowed the Lady Tamaraws to remain in control and re-establish a five-point lead off Clarisse Loresco’s back-to-back service aces, 11-16.
With the Lady Tamaraws tightening their grasp on the set, Tsunashima came off the bench and fired off three quick points to narrow the gap,16-21. However, a string of errors and violations proved too much to overcome, as FEU sealed the opening frame, 17-25.
Despite facing an early disadvantage at the start of the second frame, 1-4, the Blue Eagles fed De Leon for an easy kill while Chuatico handled business at the net, allowing them to force a deadlock at four. However, a flurry of unforced errors on Ateneo’s side paved the way for a 5-0 FEU run, putting the Katipunan-based squad in a deeper hole, 4-9.
Fighting to stay within striking distance, Tsunashima’s swing and Chuatico’s denial trimmed the deficit to three, 7-10, but the Blue and White struggled to tame Lady Tamaraw Gerzel Petallo, who fueled another 7-2 barrage, 9-17. The Blue Eagles were further handicapped as the Lady Tamaraws’ lead ballooned to nine at 11-20 as the Blue and White’s defensive coverage was persistently exploited by FEU’s attacks.
Tsunashima’s pair of block breakers powered a 3-0 Ateneo run, 14-20, but Mitzi Panangin and Lovely Lopez responded with a 4-0 blitz that pushed Ateneo to the brink, 14-24. Refusing to fold, Zey Pacia attempted to bring life to the Blue Eagles with back-to-back attacks, 17-24, but Ateneo’s comeback attempt was spoiled after Tsunahima’s error from the service line, 17-25.
The onset of set three saw the Blue Eagles pounce to an early 5-2 advantage due to a series of faults from the side of Lady Tamaraws. However, this lead quickly dissipated as multiple block points from FEU drew the score at 5-all. Quickly firing back, Ateneo then proceeded to go on a 3-0 burst, capped off by a Pacia down-the-line spike that maintained the Katipunan-based squad’s advantage heading into the first technical timeout, 8-5.
Exiting the huddle, both teams began trading points, with the Blue and White remaining in the driver’s seat, 11-8. Then, the Blue Eagles unleashed an offensive barrage, going on a 5-0 run that concluded with a cross-court kill from Pacia that granted Ateneo its largest lead of the set, 16-11.
As the third set entered the home stretch, cracks began to surface in the Blue Eagles’ system, allowing the Lady Tamaraws to trim the lead to one after a crucial block point from Lovely Lopez, 22-21.
Sensing imminent danger, the Blue and White attempted to recalibrate with defensive plays in attempts to hold on for the victory. However, Ateneo had no answer, as Lopez came alive with three straight points to seal a come-from-behind victory to end the match, 24-26.
Eager to turn their fortunes around, Ateneo will look to upset the defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, March 8, 1:00 PM, in the same venue.
Box scores:
Ateneo (0): Tsunashima – 11, Chuatico – 7, Pacia – 6, Hermosura – 5, De Leon – 3, Delos Santos – 3, Fujimoto – 2,
FEU (3): Bakanke – 12, Ellarina – 11, Petallo – 9, Loresco – 8, Lopez – 8, Ubaldo – 4, Devosora – 3, Pendon – 3, Panangin – 2
Set scores:
Ateneo-FEU: 17-25, 17-25, 24-26
Current Standings (W-L):
- De La Salle Lady Spikers (4-0)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (4-1)
- UP Fighting Maroons (3-1)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (3-2)
- UST Golden Tigresses (2-2)
- AdU Lady Falcons (2-2)
- UE Lady Red Warriors (0-5)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-5)
