THE ATENEO Blue Eagles conceded to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in straight-sets, 19-25, 18-25, 18-25, on Saturday, October 28 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the City of Manila. 

The first set opened with error-plagued rallies from both sides of the court. However, FEU powered through with an excellent attack front, challenging the floor defense of Ateneo. Lyann De Guzman, Geezel Tsunashima, and Yvana Sulit kept the Katipunan-based squad alive with aggressive attacking performances, each contributing in the first set battle. Countered by the equally relentless Faida Bakanke, Ateneo failed to secure any lead in the first canto—capitulating a six point lead to FEU, 19-25. 

In the second set, Ateneo’s Jennifer Delos Santos and Mitzi Pacia soared through the vigorous towers of the Morayta-based team with excellent off the block attack points. Delos Santos persisted through a long rally with a powerful kill, earning a total of four points in the second set. Pacia dominated the net with a towering monster block and middle-based attacks, earning a total of three points in the second set. Meanwhile, FEU’s Chenie Tagaod and Karyme Truz challenged the floor defense of Ateneo with impressive attack performances that spearheaded their second set win, 18-25.

An influx of attack errors in the third frame from FEU caused momentum to build at the other side of the court, starting the set strong for the Blue Eagles. Eager to deny a straight set sweep against FEU, De Guzman and Delos Santos brought unforgiving attacks that challenged the Lady Tamaraws’ composure. Despite the opposing team’s strenuous efforts to extend the match, Bakanke finished the job with a headstrong attack in the final play that paved the way for FEU’s straight-set victory, 18-25.

This loss eliminates the Blue Eagles in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s Super League, failing to secure their slot in the semifinals of the competition. 

Set scores: 19-25, 18-25, 18-25