Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With its sights set on its showdown against undefeated University of the Philippines four days from now, Ateneo got a surprise challenge from University of the East in a 25-14, 25-21, 25-21 win Wednesday in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Mich Morente fired a game-high 13 points, including a hit off the block that put Ateneo at match point, 24-21.
The Lady Eagles gained solo second at 4-1 behind the Lady Maroons.
Ateneo gave its head coach Tai Bundit, who arrived in Manila on Tuesday, a reason to celebrate in his first game back from Thailand.
“If you look at UE, you can get yourself in trouble because they really have a tall team,” said Ateneo deputy Sherwin Meneses in Filipino. “They really improved this year.”
The Lady Eagles cruised in the opening set but the Lady Warriors played with more fire in the last two sets and kept the game close.
UE, which remained winless at 0-5, tied the second set at 21 after a Kim Gequillana error before Ateneo responded with four unanswered points.
The Lady Warriors were also ahead, 18-17, in the third set before muffing their chances with a slew of crucial errors.
Bea de Leo added 11 points while Jia Morado had 35 excellent sets for Ateneo.
“Jia is such a good setter. She really studies her teammates tendencies and she’s going to be the one who will carry us in crucial moments.”
Shaya Adorador and Mary Anne Mendrez had 11 points apiece for the Lady Warriors, whose size and length bothered the Lady Eagles resulting to 12 block points.
Ateneo will wrap up its first round campaign against UP and defending champion La Salle.
“Our practices this week is for UP. We’re really preparing hard for them,” Meneses said.