Ateneo survives upset-seeking Adamson in five sets

MANILA, Philippines—Managing to cling on to that undefeated status, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles survived their second round dogfight against the Adamson University Lady Falcons 3-2, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 22-25, 15-10, in the UAAP Season 77 Volleyball Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday evening.

Ateneo, who now has a 9-0 win-loss card, finally looked normal after they launched the blue blitzkrieg across the UAAP landscape in the first round games.

Alyssa Valdez was her usual self giving the Lady Eagles the 14-10 matchpoint in the fifth set off a devastating attack that bounced off the hapless Jellie Tempiatura.

As if adding salt to their own wound, Erica Alkuino could not power her shot over the Ateneo defense as it fell to their side of the court putting to naught their hard-fought potential upset.

Ateneo team manager Tony Boy Liao said the Lady Eagles were not looking for that potential sweep, instead a Final Four spot was all they need.

“I always tell them that the first round was over, this second round is a new phase,” Liao said. “14-0 is not important, what’s important is that Final Four slot.”

Adamson managed to take it to five sets, albeit a difficult fourth, when back-to-back errors from Ella de Jesus and Valdez booked the final set.

Valdez said it was always difficult for Ateneo to face Adamson as the Lady Falcons usually upped their game a notch when facing the Eagles.

“Their defense was superb, they showed to us that Adamson is still Adamson,” Valdez said. “Adamson, when they play, they always look like they’re enjoying the game.”

“They had that amazing defense and their on-court communication. We did not talk to each other at all during the game,” Valdez added.

Preying on Ateneo’s injured libero, Mylene Paat gave Adamson the lead with a well-placed attack that bounced off Denden Lazaro who was suffering from a hurt left leg during the final sets.

Paat’s attack, however, was Adamson’s last grasp on the lead as Valdez returned the favor with a blazing kill that bounced off Paat, 11-9, in the fifth set.

Valdez led Ateneo with 30 points while De Jesus and Amy Ahomiro each had 12.

Jessica Galanza, Amanda Villanueva and Paat combined for 48 points.