NU, Ateneo split UAAP volley matches

MANILA, Philippines — The Ateneo Lady Eagles overcame tough odds to outlast the NU Lady Bulldogs, 25-22, 8-22, 25-19, 25-22, to reach the UAAP women’s volleyball title round for the third straight season and set up a dream encounter against rival De La Salle University.

Star Alyssa Valdez unloaded 22 points to lead the Lady Eagles, who overcame the twice-to-beat advantage of the Lady Bulldogs in the stepladder semifinals and overshadow NU’s brilliant win in Game 1 of the men’s championship earlier at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs overcame a tough stand by the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22, to move within a win of clinching the men’s crown.

Edwin Tolentino delivered the match clincher to cap a 12-point performance built on nine attacks and three blocks.

The Lady Eagles, who bucked the loss of their veterans to graduation, will take on the unbeaten Lady Archers in Game 1 of the best-of-three series at 4 p.m. on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.

Storming back from an embarrassing second set, 8-22, the Lady Eagles pulled through with Ella de Jesus stepping up anew and Amy Ahomiro also delivering key serves.

The Lady Eagles wrapped it up on a Valdez hit following a service error by Dindin Santiago, who towed the Lady Bulldogs within a point, 22-23, after trailing at 18-23 in the fourth set.

De Jesus finished with 12 points.

Santiago, who played in her final season, finished with 19 points. With a report from Xavier Villaluz

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