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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – One more win.
The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles moved a step closer to sweeping the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball tournament and winning their second straight title after beating the DLSU Lady Spikers, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19, in game one of the league finals on Wednesday, March 11, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alyssa Valdez finished with 25 points, mostly on down-the-line spikes she used to destroy the defense of a La Salle team missing its best player in Ara Galang, who suffered a torn ACL, torn MCL, and medical meniscus injury last Saturday, March 7.
“Yung game plan naman ni Coach [Bundit] is mag laro lang kami nang happy and as one. Maganda naman naging yung results,” a jubilant Valdez said during the post-game presser.
(Coach Tai Bundit’s game plan is for us to play happy and as one team. The results were nice.)
Ateneo moves to 15-0 this season and could finish a perfect 16-0 in their Season 77 campaign en route to a championship with a victory in game two on Saturday, March 14.
“Right now, we’re one win to go. And I think we can go for it,” said ADMU team manager Tony Liao.
The Lady Eagles finished with 44 points on spikes and had 5 service aces. Michelle Morente and Amy Ahomiro both played superb for the winning side, compiling a combined 15 points.
La Salle, which lost Camille Cruz to a right knee injury late in the third set, was led by Cyd Demecillo, who was the lone Lady Spiker that scored in double figures, finishing with 10 points. Joy Soyud put up 8 markers, while Mary Joy Baron had 7.
“Sa volleyball community talaga, we’re very sad kasi quality players ang na-aaccident,” Valdez talked about the Galang’s setback.
(In the volleyball community, we’re very said because quality players are getting injured.)
“I think the girls are very strong naman,” she said about DLSU bouncing back in game two, “and very brave para bumalik sa susunod na games (to return for the upcoming games).”
La Salle looked promising in the early goings in the first set despite the absence of Galang. Demecillo was doing a more than viable job in her team captain’s usual spot on the floor, and helped DLSU establish an 8-7 lead a few minutes into the game.
After the first technical time-out, the Lady Eagles came out a different team. Led by the stellar play of Valdez, who hit 4 consecutive conversions in one stretch, ADMU went on a 7-0 run to take a 14-8 advantage and control of the first period, eventually winning 25-18.
ADMU looked lethargic to start the second set anew, but picked up the pace halfway through as consecutive conversions by Valdez and rookie Bea De Leon put them up 16-12. They controlled the set the rest of the way, winning 25-19.
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The script was similar in the third set, where Ateneo established a 19-15 lead. Consecutive conversions – capped off by a drop point from Kim Fajardo – put La Salle within two, but ADMU quickly regained momentum and rode it to victory.
“Marami kaming naging errors this game. Marami kaming kailangan i-adjust,” said Valdez, whose team allowed DLSU to attain 21 points off of errors.
(We had many errors in this game andme there’s a lot we have to adjust.)
“Kailangan talaga namin mag double-time and mag-focus,” added the reigning league MVP.
(We really need to double-time and focus.) – Rappler.com
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