THE ATENEO Blue Eagles captured their first win of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Volleyball Tournament after trouncing the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-15. Ateneo’s final first-round assignment took place earlier today, March 14, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.
With their first win of the season, the Blue and White now stand at 1-6 at the end of the first round of eliminations in Season 88, currently occupying the seventh spot in the standings.
Taking charge in the Blue Eagles’ first win was Player of the Game Jihan Chuatico, who tallied 13 points off seven attacks, five blocks, and one point from the service line. Following Chuatico was rookie Ana Hermosura who garnered 12 points in the match off 11 attack points and one service ace.
Kicking off the action in the first set, the duo of Jlo Delos Santos and Dona De Leon showed their dominance at the net, giving Ateneo an early 4-1 lead. Despite a few miscommunication errors that derailed their early momentum, rookie sensation Hermosura stabilized the Blue Eagles with consecutive attacks, 8-4.
The Blue Eagles, however, could not sustain their run, as struggles with reception and services cut their advantage to one, 9-8. Turning to Delos Santos, a pair of off-the-block attacks from the veteran outside hitter reestablished a four point lead for Ateneo, 12-8. Yet, errors once again sullied the Blue Eagles’ momentum, diminishing their lead, 14-12.
Much needed back-to-back points from Hermosura extended Ateneo’s advantage, leading to the second technical timeout, 16-12. Following the brief pause in action, Hermosura continued her masterful play, tacking on another off-the-block attack to extend the Blue Eagles’ lead, 21-15. A final attacking error from Lady Warrior Van Bangayan closed the set, with the Blue and White taking a 1-0 set advantage, 25-19.
Building on their form in the second set, the Blue Eagles established an early lead after a pair of Hermosura attacks and a De Leon service ace, 5-3. Determined to remain in front, Ateneo continued to step on the gas, going on a 5-0 blitz behind a Chuatico drop ball and Zel Tsunashima spike, 10-4.
However, Lady Warriors Khy Cepada and Angel Pepino refused to back down, finding the gap in the Blue Eagle defense to keep the game within reach, 14-11. Despite the early control, the Blue Eagles saw the lead slip as UE clawed back through a 6-1 run punctuated by a pair of service aces from Cepada, 15-17.
Recognizing the changing tides, Tsunashima and Hermosura answered back with a flurry of attacks, capitalizing on a trio of UE errors to regain control of the set, 20-19. Despite UE’s best efforts to take back the lead, rookie standout De Leon sealed the set after an emphatic block point and attack, cementing a 2-0 set lead, 25-23.
One set away from earning their first win of the season, De Leon powered a spike through the middle to create an early 3-0 lead. After a slew of errors that decreased their lead, 6-5, a powerful block from Chuatico swung momentum back in Ateneo’s way, 8-5.
Despite an offensive onslaught from both De Leon and Montoro keeping the Katipunan-based squad afloat, errors from the service line prevented Ateneo from running away with the set, 11-9. In response, the Blue Eagles ramped up the defensive pressure at the net, as Chuatico delivered another kill block, 13-9.
The Blue Eagles threatened to widen the gap, but Lady Warrior Cepada’s off-the-block attack cut their lead to three, 15-12. Yet, the Blue and White would not be denied, with Hermosura delivering powerful blows from the service line to extend the lead, 19-12.
With Ateneo capitalizing on the mountain of errors produced by the Lady Warriors, a well-placed roll shot from Montoro brought the Blue Eagles to match point, 24-15. The nail in the coffin came as UE’s Cañete attack hit the antenna, serving Ateneo their first win of Season 88, 25-15.
Hoping to remain in the win column, the Blue Eagles will prepare for their opening matchup of the second round, with the opponent, date and venue to be determined.
Box scores:
Ateneo (3): Chuatico – 13, Hermosura – 12, Tsunashima – 10, De Leon – 10, Montoro – 5, Delos Santos – 4, Niseperos – 4
UE (0): Cepada – 13, Bangayan – 10, Pepino – 4, Nogueras – 3, Famulagan – 2, Taylan – 2, Canete – 1, Arasan – 1
Set scores:
Ateneo-UE: 25-19, 25-23, 25-15
Current Standings (W-L):
- De La Salle Lady Spikers (6-0)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (5-1)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (4-2)
- AdU Lady Falcons (3-3)
- UP Fighting Maroons (3-3)
- UST Golden Tigresses (3-3)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-6)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-7)
