NU Lady Bulldogs vs La Salle Lady Spikers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo stretched its amazing run to 21 games by hacking out a 25-22, 25-19, 25-15 victory over Far Eastern U Wednesday, even as National University stunned La Salle to gain a share of second place in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Alyssa Valdez got the job done on both ends of the floor with 15 points and eight digs as the Lady Eagles pulled through a tough first set before rolling in the next two.
The Lady Bulldogs halted the Lady Spikers’ unbeaten start with a thrilling 25-16, 26-24, 14-25, 25-23 win in the second game.
Myla Pablo came up big for NU with a couple of clutch hits in the fourth set, including the kill that shoved the Lady Bulldogs to match point. The Lady Bulldogs improved to 2-1, tying their victims at second spot.
Pablo combined with Jasmine Nabor in leading the Lady Bulldogs’ comeback from a 9-16 deficit in the fourth frame to clinch their second straight win after a season-opening loss to the Lady Eagles.
“This is a big win for us if we want to make Final Four,” said NU coach Roger Gorayeb.
Ara Galang paced the Lady Spikers with 19 hits and six digs while Mika Reyes chipped in 12 points, including four blocks.
Valdez got plenty of help as the Lady Eagles drew big games from middle hitters Bea de Leon and Maddie Madayag. Ateneo finished off FEU in just 81 minutes.
The Lady Tamaraws showed plenty of resistance in the first set, clawing back from 0-8 down before threatening at 22-24. De Leon scored on the block on Jerilli Malabanan’s attack.
The opening-set win galvanized the Lady Eagles as Valdez, De Leon and Madayag cashed in on Jia Morado’s stellar set up job.
The Lady Eagles’ win cushioned the impact of Ateneo’s defeat in the men’s division where Adamson University posted the biggest upset of the season by beating the Eagles, 25-19, 17-25, 22-25, 26-24, 15-13.
In another men’s game, FEU cruised to a 25-18, 25-22, 25-21 triumph over University of the East.