Ateneo keeps rolling; UST pulls off shocker

Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez delivered the numbers—and the praises to her teammates—as the Lady Eagles streaked to their fifth straight victory in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

With Valdez at the forefront of the Lady Eagles’ torrid attacks, the defending champions turned back Adamson in straight sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16, to stay unbeaten and strengthen its hold of the No. 1 spot.

“Everyone contributed today,” said Valdez, who unloaded a game-high 23 points. “Teams live with their setter and Jia (Morado) is doing a really good job. She distributed the ball, had good plays.”

Morado dished out 16 excellent sets as the Lady Eagles also peppered the Lady Falcons with attacks, 43-29.

University of Santo Tomas nearly stole the thunder from yesterday’s women’s schedule when it spoiled National University’s bid for solo second with a gruelling 25-14, 25-18, 17-25, 19-25, 15-12 decision in the second match.

Just when the Tigresses looked headed for a meltdown, Cherry Rondina fueled a fifth-set comeback to tow UST to their second win in five outings.

Rondina pumped in 21 points, including consecutive smashes that helped the Tigresses climb out of a five-point deficit, 6-11, in the deciding frame.

The Lady Bulldogs, who had hoped to stretch their winning run to four, slipped to third place with a 3-2 record.

Rondina, the diminutive but fiery sophomore hitter, fired four of the team’s six aces and also teamed up with skipper EJ Laure in scoring 34 of the Tigresses’ 49 kills.

The Lady Eagles, who extended their winning streak to 23 since 2014, also had Amy Ahomiro and Maddie Madayag stepping up to help clip the Lady Falcons’ comeback efforts in the second set.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Valdez. “Adamson wasn’t giving up until the end.”

The Lady Falcons, behind Jessica Galanza, forged a deadlock at 23 in the second frame, but blew their chance to turn the game around with consecutive errors that handed the set to the Lady Eagles.