MANILA, Philippines – Even a guaranteed ticket to the semifinals did not slow Ateneo de Manila University as they destroyed a hapless University of the East side, 25-17, 25-12, 25-22, in the 76th UAAP Women’s Volleyball tournament, Saturday, February 8, at The Arena in San Juan City.
Still displaying her usual lethal form in a practically non-bearing game against two teams that had contrasting fates this year, Alyssa Valdez rose above all as she once again led the Lady Eagles with her 20 markers to take their 8th win this season and formally lock themselves third in the table with eight win in their 12 games so far.
Coming off a grueling five-setter against Adamson, Ateneo made short work of their foes this time as they dominated the Lady Warriors in an impressive fashion right from the opening set, zooming to an 8-3 lead en route to a 25-17 first frame conquest.
Valdez then brought the house down in the following set as she scattered eight of her points in the second, highlighted by a string of service aces to take a 2-0 set lead via a 25-12 annihilation.
UE, however, was able to put themselves back together in the third as they kept the Katipunan-based side on their toes and tie them at 12-apiece.
The league’s leading scorer, however, did not want to send the game to another long haul as she combined with Amy Ahomiro in endgame to seal the deal for Ateneo, 25-22.
Valdez, who tallied in 26 points in a scraping win against the Lady Falcons, put up 13 attacks, five service aces, and two blocks this game.
With Ateneo assured of a Final Four berth, UE drops to 0-12 to remain the only winless squad this season, absorbing its 29th straight UAAP loss that extends from all the way to Season 75.
Ateneo has University of Santo Tomas (February 12) and Far Eastern University (February 16) as their last elimination round assignments while UE will try to salvage some pride in their remaining games against De La Salle, on February 12, and University of the Philippines on February 16. – Rappler.com
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