UAAP: Ateneo clinches Final Four spot, overwhelms UST

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo clinched its seventh straight Final Four appearance with a complete dismantling of University of Santo Tomas, 25-20, 25-18, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday night at Philsports Arena.

Amy Ahomiro, who replaced the injured Maddie Madayag in the middle, sealed the Lady Eagles’ spot in the semifinals with back-to-back service aces.

Despite the dominant win, skipper Alyssa Valdez showed some concern over its errors. Ateneo committed 22 team errors, far too many for the graduating superstar.

“We had a lot of errors, unforced errors, we have to work on our service and defense,” Valdez said as her Lady Eagles improved to 9-2.

Madayag is out for the remainder of the season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in training and it was Ahomiro and Bea De Leon who took turns in the middle. 

Valdez was again the high-point woman for Ateneo with 14 points while Jhoana Maraguinot also had 14 of her own. Ahomiro pitched in 10.

Cherry Rondina led UST, which slipped into a tie with National University in fifth at 5-6, with 11 points.