Champs end volley slide

DEFENDING champion Ateneo snapped a two-game slide by walloping National University, 26-24, 25-17, 25-19, yesterday to reclaim top spot in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball at Mall of Asia Arena.

After sub-par performances in losses to rival La Salle and University of the Philippines, the Lady Eagles left little to chance with Alyssa Valdez, Jho Maraguinot and Jia Morada on the firing end as Ateneo raised its tally to 7-2, half a game ahead of the Lady Spikers.

The Lady Eagles came out strong after surviving a nip-and-tuck first set, rolling past the Lady Bulldogs in the next two frames to hack out the victory in a little over an hour.

“I think the team really struggled, in skills, mentally and physically (in the last two games), but I hope this is the start for us to really play as one team and learn from all the losses,” said Valdez, who had five service aces.

With their fifth loss in nine games, the Lady Bulldogs crashed out of the Top Four for sixth spot. It was NU’s fourth loss in five games.

Jaja Santiago finished with 12 kills, but the 6-foot-4 attacker got little help from her teammates.

The Lady Eagles also drew solid games from Maraguinot who finished with 12 hits, while Morada orchestrated the attack with 33 excellent sets.

In the other game in the women’s division, Far Eastern University coasted to a 25-18, 25-13, 25-21 victory over University of the East and improve to 5-4 for solo fourth spot.

Bernadeth Pons sparkled for the Lady Tamaraws, finishing 19 points and collecting seven digs as the Lady Tamaraws needed only one hour and 20 minutes to pick up the win.

Men’s play saw reigning men’s champion and league-leading Ateneo dominate University of the Philippines, 25-9, 27-25, 25-15, for its sixth straight victory and eighth overall in nine contests, while NU overpowered UE, 25-20 18-25 25-21 29-27, to improve to 6-3.