Lady Eagles prevail over Lady Maroons in ‘Battle of Katipunan’

MANILA, Philippines – New year, same result.

The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles soared to their fourth straight win as they beat the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in straight sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-13 in the 76^th UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament Saturday, January 4, at The Arena in San Juan City.

Despite the sweep, it was not a smooth-sailing afternoon for the Lady Eagles as their 27 errors prevented them from easily dispatching the still winless Diliman crew, which drops to 0-5 in the standings.

Ateneo, playing without head coach Tai Bundit, put on a hot start in the opening frame as Marge Tejada and Amy Ahomiro displayed fine form coming off a long holiday break. Kat Bersola – with a little help from ADMU’s unforced errors – ignited a late UP run to come to within 3 at 20-23.

Just when it was looking like UP would make a comeback, Alyssa Valdez, averaging 19.3 points per outing, ended the Lady Maroons’ streak, propelling Ateneo to set-point as Angeli Araneta handed them the first canto when her attack failed to stay within the sideline.

Araneta then made up for her opening set blunder as she and Monica Ortiz started the second set on a bright note but Valdez answered back with 5 points to overtake coach Jerry Yee’s wards, 8-7.

The Lady Eagles then erected a 17-11 advantage midway in the second but they once again fell to consecutive errors that brought UP to within 1, 21-22.

Valdez once again saved the day for Ateneo as she paired with Ana Gopico to finish off the Lady Maroons in a wild second set, 25-21. 

UP simple lost steam in the third frame as they failed to contain Valdez who finished the game with 24 markers on 20 attacks, 1 block, and 3 aces.

With the win, Ateneo occupied solo second at 4-1 while UP absorbs its 5th straight loss to drop to last place at 0-5.

Ahomiro also pitched in 14 points for Ateneo while Bersola led UP’s losing cause with 12. – Rappler.com