FILE – Ateneo Lady Eagles. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo rallied past a persistent Far Eastern University side, 25-19, 24-26, 19-25, 25-16, 15-11, for its second win in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Eagles improved to 2-1 while the Lady Tamaraws slipped to 1-2.
Ateneo was at match point after an FEU error, 14-11, before Kim Gequillana finished it off with a service ace.
Assistant coach Sherwin Meneses, who took over momentarily as head coach with Tai Bundit in Thailand grieving over the passing of his mother-in-law, said the fifth set came down to who can play through their instincts and who can execute the basics better.
“I told them what coach Tai has always said that the fifth set will come down to whoever executes the basic principles better,” said Meneses. “Everything starts from the basic.”
Ateneo was down, 5-0, at the onset of the fourth set but the Lady Eagles retaliated with an 8-1 spurt to establish and 8-6 lead and set their offensive rhythm.
Jhoana Maraguinot and Mich Morente led Ateneo with 18 and 17 points, respectively, but also had plenty of help from Bea De Leon and Maddie Madayag, who combined for 21 points.
Gequillana also had her moments as she scored nine points off the bench.
Bernadeth Pons led FEU with 18 points.