THE ATENEO Lady Eagles emerged as the victor in today’s Battle of Katipunan after upsetting the unbeaten University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons in straight sets, 25-14, 25-19, 25-21, on Sunday, February 26 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The win sees the Lady Eagles move to a 5-1 win-loss record in Season 79 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Volleyball tournament.
Entering the first set, the Lady Eagles hardly looked fazed by their unbeaten counterparts, as they quickly hit the ground running to enter the first technical timeout leading by three (8-5). Exiting the timeout, Morente, de Leon, and Maraguinot would continue the Lady Eagles’ strong run of play, as they scored off consecutive UP errors and spiked with power far too much for UP to handle. Eventually, Team Captain Jia Morado would claim the first set for the Lady Eagles at 25-14.
The second set would be no different, as the Lady Eagles once again entered the first technical timeout leading (8-3). Morado’s setting would prove to be the difference as she repeatedly set up de Leon, Maraguinot, and Morente for rapid Ateneo points. Eventually, a ferocious downwards spike from Maraguinot would claim the second set for Ateneo, 25-19.
Now on the brink of defeat, the Lady Maroons would go on to enter the third set with more tenacity, as they stuck with Ateneo up until the five-point mark before three straight points from the Lady Eagles would see the Blue and White enter the first technical timeout leading by three (8-5). However, the Lady Eagles would display the same kind of tenacity that they rode on early in the game to enter the second technical timeout leading by eight (16-8). UP would then go on to attempt a comeback, scoring off consecutive points; however, it would prove to be fruitless as a Maraguinot spike would claim the third set for the Lady Eagles at 25-21.
After the match, Assistant Coach Sherwin Meneses spoke about the importance of today’s victory: “Malaking panalo ito kasi siyempre sila yung number one at La Salle ang kalaban namin next week, at least ngayon, may parang break kami bago magkalaban [ang] La Salle (This is a huge win because UP is the first-seed and La Salle is our opponent next week. At least now, we have somewhat of a break before going against La Salle).”
The Ateneo Lady Eagles will go head-to-head with the Season 78 defending champions, the De la Salle University Lady Spikers on Saturday, March 4, 4PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Box Scores:
Ateneo: De Leon- 11, Maraguinot- 11, Morente- 10, Tolentino- 9, Morado- 6, Madayag- 6
UP: Molde- 12, Carlos- 12, Tiamzon- 4, Estranero- 3, Buitre- 3, Bersola- 3, Layug- 2, Gannaban- 1
The Lady Eagles defeated the previously unbeaten Lady Maroons in straight sets.
https://storify.com/TheGUIDONSports/women-s-volleyballuaap-season-79-women-s-volleybal
