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MANILA, Philippines – The expectations coming into Sunday, January 11, were inflated for the much-anticipated finals rematch between the Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles and the De La Salle University Lady Spikers.
After the game, one thing was clear to each of the 18,481 who were at the Mall of Asia Arena: the girls on both sides of the floor gave volleyball fans and students of their respective universities a game to remember.
After five grueling sets, the Lady Eagles prevailed over the Lady Spikers, 25-22, 25-27, 16-25, 25-14, 15-9. They now improve to first place at 7-0 on the season, while La Salle drops to second place at 6-1.
Alyssa Valdez finished with 26 points, while Amy Ahomiro added 13.
Bea De Leon put up 9 markers for Ateneo, who were playing for a second consecutive day after they beat the UE Lady Warriors on Saturday, January 10.
La Salle was led by Ara Galang, who registered 11 points. Cyd Demecillo had 9 points, while Mika Reyes scored 8.
“They play the same, as in super hard working, super tsaga nila si bola,” Valdez said about her team’s biggest rival, whom they’re scheduled to face one more time in the second round of this season’s volleyball tournament.
And if the way they performed on the court on Sunday is any indication, it’s likely both sides will face at least two more times as well in the tournament finals in March.
“For sure sa second round, definitely, mas interesting yung games,” she later said.
Ateneo looked on the verge of falling to a 0-1 hole late in the first set as they faced a 17-21 deficit.
But like they did all series-long in last season’s finals, The Lady Eagles were able to go on a quick scoring burst to tie the match. After La Salle re-took 22-21 lead in the subsequent rally, Valdez quickly countered with a kill to tie the set once again.
As the momentum of the game and crowd started to tilt to the blue-and-white side of the court, Valdez scored another kill to give her club a one point lead. Right after, ADMU connected on a service ace to build a 24-22 cushion.
The next rally finished with Ahomiro connecting on a middle floor kill to let Ateneo draw first blood.
The script reversed in the second set, as DLSU trailed midway through, 17-13. But thanks to a 7-0 run, La Salle established a 20-17 lead.
Ateneo bounced back with a 5-1 run late and tied the set at 25-all. After which, the Lady Eagles committed a net violation and let Galang convert a service ace to win the set for DLSU.
The third set was all La Salle as Ateneo committed a mind-boggling 16 errors, which helped their opponents cruise to an easy set win and a 2-1 advantage. The Lady Eagles re-found their mojo in the fourth set, as Valdez and Ahomiro caught fire to force a fifth set.
Both clubs exchanged scores in the deciding period, with Ateneo clinging on to an 8-7 lead by the time both teams had to change court. It was all ADMU from there, as Ahomiro converted on three straight kills while DLSU committed two vital errors.
Bea De Leon provided the final kill to give her squad a 15-9 set five win, and the game.
Ateneo had more spike points than La Salle, 49-32, and matched the Lady Spikers in blocks, 10-10. 46 of DLSU’s points came from ADMU errors, while Ateneo scored through 36 La Salle miscues. – Rappler.com
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