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MANILA, Philippines – They may have lost both their outings against National University in the eliminations but Ateneo de Manila University proved that they are no strangers in in winning games that mattered most.
Facing a twice-to-beat disadvantage against NU, the Lady Eagles leaned on Alyssa Valdez as she poured in 29 points to eke out a 25-17, 12-25, 31-29, 28-26 hard-earned victory over the Lady Bulldogs in the semifinals of the 76th UAAP Women’s Volleyball tournament, Wednesday, February 26, at The Arena in San Juan City.
The league’s leading scorer Valdez rained the Lady Bulldogs’ side of the court with hits coming from all angles as she towed the Katipunan Avenue crew to a do-or-die Saturday matchup for the right to face De La Salle in the Finals.
After dispatching Adamson University in the first match of the stepladder playoffs on weekend, Ateneo was on the flipside this time as they confronted a make-or-break match but the Lady Eagles stepped up in the crucial moments to extend their season one more game and to keep their Season 76 campaign alive and kicking.
Ateneo put on a blistering start as Valdez and Ella de Jesus caught fire in the opening set to catch the Lady Bulldogs flatfooted and cruise to an easy 25-17 first frame win.
NU, however, bit back in the following set as sisters and twin towers Dindin and Jaja Santiago made their presence felt leading the Bulldogs to a 25-12 thumping and tie the game one set apiece.
With both teams’ title hopes hinged on this game, Ateneo and NU engaged in a tight third set battle as they practically exchanged hits and no team wanting to let go of the lead.
The older Santiago then nailed crucial hits late in the set to turn a 20-all game into a 24-22 lead but Valdez pulled just the right stops to tie the game once more at 29-apiece. Amy Ahomiro then delivered the finishing touches as Ateneo finally took the third, 31-29.
The F. Jhocson-based side tried their best to answer back as they kept in pace with Ateneo for the whole of the fourth set but the Lady Eagles displayed nerves of steel in crunch time to nip NU after a long rally, 28-26.
De Jesus and rookie Michelle Morente provided Valdez with ample support pitching in 16 and 12 markers apiece.
Jaja and Dindin Santiago, meanwhile, led NU’s losing cause with 17 and 13 respectively with no other Lady Bulldog scoring in double-digits.
Ateneo and NU will face each other one more time this season on Saturday, March 1, to battle for the final ticket to the Last Dance where the Lady Spikers are waiting with a huge thrice-to-beat edge. – Rappler.com
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