MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons earned their second sweep this season at the expense of the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 28-26, 25-23, 26-24, on Saturday, April 7, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Ateneo blew another lead in the 3rd set as the Lady Maroons extended the set, 24-all. An attack error by Ateneo gave UP the match point and Tots Carlos closed it out for the Lady Maroons.

The Lady Maroons keep their Final 4 hopes burning with a 5-8 record while the Lady Eagles fall to 9-4 in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball tournament. 

With the loss, the Ateneo Lady Eagles fail to clinch the twice-to-beat advantage. 

Carlos continued to lead the Lady Maroons with 22 points off 18 spikes, 3 aces and one block while making 8 excellent digs. Rem Cailing bested the league’s current best setter Deanna Wong with 21-18 excellent sets. 

Kat Tolentino lifted the Lady Eagles with 15 points off 13 spikes, one block and the sole ace of Ateneo. Jhoana Maraguinot was only limited to 7 points and her efforts were directed to making 10 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions. 

The Lady Maroons had a strong start to the game as they led the Lady Eagles throughout the set until Maraguinot’s attack tied it 24-all. Tolentino’s ace nabbed the set point for Ateneo before Carlos tied it all again at 25-all.  

Maraguinot brought it to a second set point, but her own error gave it up until Isa Molde and Carlos combined to take the win for UP.

Ateneo attempted to turn the tables in the second set as they got off to a comfortable 5-point lead capped off by Maddie Madayag. The Lady Eagles were eventually locked down by UP with 5 unanswered points. 

The Lady Eagles were two points away after Madayag helped Ateneo escape the stalemate and Ayel Estranero committed an attack error. The Lady Maroons denied Ateneo in the final stretch with a 4-0 run that gave them a two-set advantage. – Rappler.com