THE LADY Eagles celebrate a key point against the Lady Spikers in the fifth set. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
In an elimination-phase showdown that had all the trappings of a championship duel, the Ateneo Lady Eagles showed why they’re the best in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday.
The Lady Eagles came back dominant in the last two sets to foil the La Salle Lady Spikers in another cardiac five-setter, 25-22, 25-27, 16-25, 25-14, 15-9, to sweep the first round at the packed Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Eagles, spunky just like in their improbable title run last season, leaned on another monster performance from Alyssa Valdez for a perfect 7-0 record.
“The pressure is always there, but coach Tai (Thai coach Bundit) said just keep [on] trying,” said Valdez.
Valdez finished with a game-high 26 points, including 20 kills and three blocks, in the rematch of last year’s epic Finals that drew a boisterous crowd of 18,489.
Amy Ahomiro— whose two hits in the fifth set sandwiched two Cyd Demecillo errors as Ateneo pulled away, 12-8—posted 13 points, including three blocks and three aces.
La Salle seemed to have grabbed momentum after a dominant third set, 25-16, but faltered at the finish and fell to 6-1.
Earlier, National University turned back Adamson, 25-17, 25-16, 22-25, 25-19, to claim solo third with a 4-3 slate.
The Lady Spikers moved within a set of a win as standout Ara Galang took charge along with Demecillo and Mika Reyes.