FALLING SHORT in their comeback attempt, the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team succumbed to the Mapúa University Lady Cardinals in four sets, 21-25, 22-25, 25-23, 24-26. The match was held earlier today, August 30, at the Paco Arena, Manila.
This loss puts the Blue Eagles at 0-2 in the elimination round standings of the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge.
In the opening frame, the Blue and White hit the ground running as they established an early four-point lead, 7-3, after forcing the Lady Cardinals to commit unforced errors with their offensive firepower. However, the game shifted to Mapúa’s side after Ateneo lost command in the game, 8-10, as their floor defense was exploited by Mapúa’s 7-1 run fueled by Freighanne Garcia’s ace and attack.
Despite hitting a knot, the Blue Eagles reclaimed the driver’s seat, 17-15, after finding their offensive rhythm powered by Jihan Chuatico and Zey Pacia who destabilized the Lady Cardinal’s defense with their dominant attacks. From there, the game went from pillar to post as both teams traded attacks which brought the set down to the wire, 20-20.
At the latter part of the frame, the Katipunan-based squad was brought to their heel after Mapúa nabbed four consecutive points off attacks putting Ateneo at a 20-24 hole. Ateneo showed signs of life after a masterful defensive stop that forced a Mapúa error, 21-24, but the Lady Cardinals claimed the opening set after Rob Silla was denied at the net by Alyanna Ong, 25-21.
The Blue Eagles fell behind early in the second set after Mapua stifled Pacia’s attack, 1-3. However, the Atenean opposite hitter remained undeterred, delivering a service ace to cap a 3-0 run for the Blue and White, 4-3.
Despite defensive lapses allowing Mapúa back into the match, the Blue Eagles maintained their lead following an off-the-block attack by Alana Tan-Chi, 8-5. Continuing to feed the hot hand, a cross-court kill from Pacia kept Ateneo in front, 11-10.
Errors from the service line plagued the Intramuros-based unit, as both teams found themselves deadlocked midway through the set, 13-all. With the second technical timeout looming, Ateneo leaned on Pacia once more, who scored consecutive aces to bring Ateneo forward, 16-13.
However, the Blue and White failed to maintain their momentum, as Lady Cardinal Diandrah Yabut’s dominance above the tape tied the game, 16-16. Following a stretch of errors from both squads, Tan-Chi’s attacking error gave Mapúa the lead, 21-22. Even as Pacia scored another thunderous attack, 22-24, the final blow of the set was delivered by Freyan Garcia’s tip shot over the Ateneo block, giving the Lady Cardinals their second set of the match, 22-25.
The third set saw an early back-and-forth affair that resulted in a 3-3 deadlock, but Ateneo established control after orchestrating a 5-0 run highlighted by Chuatico’s off speed attack and service ace, 8-3. Not letting up, the Blue Eagles’ lead ballooned to six, 12-6, after Yssa Nisperos’ emphatic attack turned the tide in their favor.
As the Lady Cardinals brought themselves within striking distance, 11-14, the Blue Eagles recouped their six-point lead, 19-13, courtesy of Pacia’s back-to-back attacks. However, Ateneo’s lead shrunk to three, 22-19, after committing four unforced errors at the net and service line.
Alana Tan-Chi’s drop ball gave the Blue Eagles a brief cushion, 23-19, until Mapúa stormed back with a 3-0 attacking blitz that brought Ateneo’s lead in jeopardy, 23-22. However, with Ateneo’s valiant effort on both ends of the court, the Lady Cardinals committed a net touch violation and an unforced error that ultimately allowed the Blue Eagles close the set, 25-23.
Eager to force a deciding fifth set, Ateneo rallied back from an early 1-4 deficit in the fourth set to tie the game, 4-all. However, the Blue and White’s porous floor defense dampened their momentum, falling behind 7-10.
The duo of Tan-Chi and Chuatico aimed to provide a spark for Ateneo, scoring back-to-back points to bring the Blue Eagles within one, 9-10. Showcasing renewed effort on the defensive end, a brilliant 1-2 play from setter KC Cortez put Ateneo in the lead, 14-13.
In a test of determination and grit, the Blue Eagles extended their lead following a booming hammer from Nisperos, 19-16. Ever-resilient, however, the Lady Cardinals pounced upon the Blue Eagles’ communication errors, tying the match once more, 22-22. With the outcome of the matchup still in the balance, the teams exchanged runs to remain in deadlock, 24-all.
As the tense moments continued to build inside Paco Arena, the Blue Eagles turned to their veterans once more. However, the game-tying attack from Nisperos sailed long, making the Blue Eagles’ comeback fall short, 24-26.
Hungry to clinch their first victory of the tournament, the Blue Eagles will go head-to-head against the University of Perpetual Help System Lady Altas, at 12:00 PM, in the same venue.
Set scores:
Ateneo-MU: 21-25, 22-25, 25-23, 24-26
Current Standings (W-L):
- ADU Lady Falcons (4-0)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (4-1)
- DLS-CSB Lady Blazers (3-2)
- CSJL Lady Knights (2-2)
- UPHSD Lady Altas (1-3)
- AU Lady Chiefs (1-1)
- MU Lady Cardinals (1-4)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-2)
