THE ATENEO Blue Eagles kicked off their 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge Women’s Volleyball Tournament with a loss against the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Lady Blazers in straight sets, 18-25, 18-25, 17-25. The campaign starter took place earlier today, August 16, at Paco Arena, Manila.
Making their debut in the V-League, the Blue Eagles trailed early as the Lady Blazers’ Rhea Densing dictated the tempo with a quick attack, 0-1. After an exchange of points by both squads, sophomore middle blocker Jihan Chuatico responded with a middle attack of her own, tying the match at 5-5. While the Blue Eagles kept the match close at 6-7, the Lady Blazers ramped up the pressure, relentlessly attacking through Densing, 6-11.
Attempting to regain rhythm, Zey Pacia delivered quick attacks and a service ace to decrease the deficit, 8-11. However, the Blue Eagles were unable to contain CSB’s up-tempo offense, falling behind on the scoreboard, 10-15. A downpour of errors further compounded Ateneo’s woes, as Gena Hora’s mishit widened the deficit, 13-20.
Despite the wide point gap, the Blue Eagles powered through with consecutive points, as Ysa Nisperos delivered a thunderous attack off a precise set from Taks Fujimoto, 18-23. The Blue Eagles’ rally, however, was cut short, as the Lady Spikers secured the opening set after Nisperos’ cross-court attack went out of bounds, 25-18.
The Blue Eagles continued to struggle at the onset of the second set, as the Katipunan-based unit found themselves at an early 0-3 disadvantage. Veteran opposite hitter Hora looked to lead the charge for Ateneo, with a down-the-line attack keeping the Blue Eagles close, 2-5.
However, the Lady Blazers continued their dominance from the service line to extend their lead, 8-3. Despite Hora’s unwavering brilliance from the right wing, Ateneo’s errors quickly derailed their growing momentum, 4-11. Back-to-back attacks from Hora and rookie Alana Tan-Chi would breathe life back into the Blue Eagles midway through the set, but a middle attack from Densing would stabilize CSB once more, 18-9.
The Blue and White battled back, stringing together a swift 6-1 run, capped by Fujimoto’s 1-2 play, to bring Ateneo within striking distance, 14-19. The Lady Blazers, however, remained undeterred, fortifying their blockade to deny Tan-Chi, 22-16. The final blow came with Cam Bartolome’s denial at the net, sealing the set for the CSB and handing Ateneo an 18-25 defeat in the second set.
The third set was off to a rough start with the Blue Eagles failing to gain control of their first ball as the Lady Blazers surged ahead, 0-4. Slowly climbing back, the Blue Eagles attempted to close the gap as Tan-Chi scored off a quick attack after a clean Fujimoto set, 2-6.
Maintaining a tight grasp of momentum, Zamantha Nolasco’s steady plays increased CSB’s lead, 4-13. As the Blue Eagles looked to keep their head above water, Pacia and Hora’s continuous attacks managed to trim the deficit, 8-16. Still facing a massive deficit in front of them, the Blue Eagles continued to battle, as Dona Mae De Leon’s service ace and Tan Chi’s down-the-line attack pushed the Ateneo into double digits, 11-18.
With a widened gap between the Blue Eagles and the Lady Blazers, Hora took advantage of the fragile CSB defense, earning an off-the-block point, 15-22. Continuing her excellent performance in the match, Pacia’s attack bounced off the CSB block to earn another point, 16-23. After another long rally, Rob Silla successfully garnered a point, 17-24, but the Blue Eagles faltered as Fujimoto’s set failed to connect with her spiker, 17-25, giving the Lady Blazers another win.
Eager to earn their first win of the preseason tournament, the Blue Eagles will look to bounce back against the winless Mapua Lady Cardinals on August 30, Saturday, at 12:00 PM in the same venue.
Set scores:
Ateneo-CSB: 18-25, 18-25, 17-25
Current Standings (W-L):
- DLS-CSB Lady Blazers (3-0)
- AdU Lady Falcons (2-0)
- AU Lady Chiefs (1-0)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (1-1)
- Perpetual Lady Altas (1-2)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-1)
- CSJL Lady Knights (0-1)
- Mapua Lady Cardinals (0-3)
