Lady Eagles outlast Tigresses in thrilling UAAP 76 volley duel

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MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo outlasted University of Santo Tomas, 15-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 15-13, in a thrilling duel Wednesday at the UAAP season 76 women’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez scored 28 points and carried the Lady Eagles on her shoulders in the fourth and fifth sets, outdueling Tigresses’ main man Pam Lastimosa, who had 23.

A disorganized Ateneo team in the opening set in the face of UST’s superb block and floor coverage leaned on the league’s best scorer to turn things around.

“We had a lot of errors, UST played well today, they were able to check to Alyssa,” said deputy Parley Tupaz after the game.

Valdez’ heroics put the Lady Eagles in the prime spot to take their fifth victory against a loss.

Valdez drilled five points, countering Lastimosa’s efforts as UST and Ateneo battled back-and-forth for the lead in the final frame, until Amy Ahomiro’s hit finished it.

“Even if she [Ahomiro] had an error in the previous play, I still set the final attempt for her,” Tupaz also said.

That was only Ahomiro’s fifth point, though, as no one from the Ateneo side apart from Valdez got into double digits.

Rookie Ana Gopico added eight points before she was stretchered off the court in tears with an injured right knee.

The Lady Eagles showcased its full strength in the fourth set as they went on a stifling 10-3 run to push the lead to 22-12, their biggest of the match.

UST, hoping to wrap up the match, countered with a 7-1 blast to move to within four, 19-23.

Carmela Tunay added 17 points for the Tigresses, tying her season-best, but in a losing effort. Ria Meneses had 12.