DESPITE THEIR best efforts, the Ateneo Blue Eagles absorbed their 11th loss in straight sets at the hands of the undefeated De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers, 13-25, 12-25, 18-25. The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 match took place earlier today at the Playtime Filoil Centre in the City of San Juan.
This loss positions the Blue Eagles on the seventh seed with a 1-11 win-loss record.
Leading the line for the Blue and White in the defeat was rookie stalwart Ana Hermosura, tallying a total of ten markers while Alex Montoro and Zel Tsunashima chipped in six points apiece.
In an effort to establish rhythm, rookie Dona De Leon opened the rivalry match with a strategic drop to counter back-to-back points from Lady Spikers Shevana Laput and Amie Provido, 1-2. Capitalizing on this momentum, veteran Zey Pacia glazed the taraflex with off-the-block attacks to equalize the playing field, 3-3.
However, the following sequences witnessed the Blue Eagles fall to their attack errors and defensive lapses, 3-5. Eager to rise from the setback,the formidable duo of De Leon and Hermosura kept the squad alive through their consistent wing performance.
As an attack point from Hermosura aided her squad, 4-7, Ateneo exhibited impressive floor coverage to counter DLSU’s aggressive attack front.
Down the stretch, Hermosura kept the squad alive through her consecutive attack points, 8-11. However, the Katipunan-based unit quickly yielded the momentum as Katrina Del Castillo scored from back-to-back kills.
Unable to recover from this momentum shift, the Blue Eagles fell to the hands of the Lady Spikers in the opening set, 13-25.
Entering the second set, Ateneo’s struggles only continued, surrendering a quick four point unanswered run to the Lady Spikers, resulting in an early timeout, 0-4. Despite Pacia finding room to attack through a pair of points, the lead only further ballooned as the Blue and White struggled to find consistent rhythm, 2-9.
Capitalizing on back-to-back DLSU attack errors, the Blue Eagles momentarily found their footing after a 5-2 run spearheaded by a Rob Silla attack and Taks Fujimoto service ace, 8-14. However, Ateneo was unable to sustain this offensive spurt, absorbing a 4-0 run at the hands of the Lady Spikers, forcing the Blue Eagles’ final timeout of the set, 8-18.
Although the Katipunan-based unit showed some signs of life down the stretch including a pair of attacks from Hermosura, 12-21, DLSU’s momentum proved to be decisive as the Lady Spikers secured the set after yet another run 4-0, 12-25.
Gleaning from their growing pains in the second set, the Blue Eagles entered the final stretch of the match hoping for a turnaround. Yet, the slow start for Ateneo characterized the succeeding frames, where the Blue and White suffered an early five-point deficit, 4-9.
Despite Ateneo getting plagued by attacking errors on all wings of the court, Montoro breaks the ice with a cross-court attack at 6-10. The Blue Eagles then picked up the pace, cutting the deficit down to three points after Fujimoto’s timely service ace, 8-11.
Capitalizing on this rhythm, the dynamic trio of Tsunashima, Hermosura, and Montoro gradually increased the score tally to achieve their first lead of the match at 15-14. However, shortly after Ateneo picked up the pace, DLSU orchestrated a momentum shifting 5-1 run, 16-19.
The backend of the match witnessed Hermosura maintain composure to counter the aggressive attack front of the Lady Spikers, 17-20. Yet, her strenuous efforts to remain afloat fell short after Pacia committed an attack error to close the final play of the rivalry match, 18-25.
Hoping to secure their second win of the season, the Blue Eagles will set their sights on their next matchup against the University of the East Lady Warriors on Saturday, April 18 at 11:00 AM at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Box scores:
Ateneo (0): Hermosura – 10, Montoro – 7, Tsunashima – 6, Pacia – 5, De Leon – 4, Fujimoto – 2. Chuatico – 1, Silla – 1
DLSU (3): Canino – 15, Provido – 12, Del Castillo – 9, Laput – 9, Reterta – 6, Caringal – 2, Nunag – 2
Set scores:
Ateneo-DLSU: 13-25, 12-25, 18-25
Women’s Volleyball Standings
- DLSU Lady Spikers (12-0)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (8-3)
- UST Golden Tigresses (7-4)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (6-5)
- AdU Lady Falcons (6-5)
- UP Fighting Maroons (5-6)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-11)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-11)
