Ateneo goes the distance, takes down UP in five

Alyssa Valdez. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – They may have lost the battle, but they still won the war.

Going for extra sets the first time this season, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles survived feisty University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 3-2, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20, 15-25, 15-11, during their UAAP Women’s volleyball showdown Sunday afternoon at the Arena in San Juan.

Ateneo, which went perfect for four matches, including 12 unblemished sets, were stunned when UP took the second set 22-25 putting a cudgel on the Lady Eagles.

Looking at a 15-25 loss in the fourth set, Alyssa Valdez took flight in the fifth set taking over for the defending champions.

Valdez gave Ateneo a two-point bubble, 11-9, in the final set with Jia Morado scoring off an ace to strengthen the Lady Eagles’ lead at 13-10.

An error from UP’s Arianne Ilustre gave Ateneo a 14-10 matchpoint with Valdez putting it all off with a quick attack down the middle of the UP defense.

Valdez said that this match, which saw them become normal, would be their season’s highlight.

“This match would be one of the most memorable of the season for us,” Valdez said whose team notched a 5-0 win-loss card. “This would be remembered.”

Ateneo played with three players who were under the weather, libero Denden Lazaro, Mitch Morente and Isabelle De Leon.

Lazaro said she had recurring asthma attacks as she also went to Baguio to her family during the holidays.

Blue Eagles head coach Tai Bundit said his team’s first five-setter was not that bad as they have played “worse than that.”

“We have to challenge ourselves,” Valdez said.

Valdez finished with 25 points with De Leon and Amy Ahomiro pitching in 12 and 11 points respectively.

Nicole Tiamzon led UP with 22 points with Kathy Bersola and Angeli Araneta adding 12 and 11 respectively.