Ateneo takes down UP in straight sets

FILE – Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo needed only three sets to take down erstwhile undefeated University of the Philippines, 25-14, 25-19, 25-21, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Eagles improved to 5-1 and extended their win streak to four games while the Lady Maroons (4-1) slipped to second place after getting their unbeaten run snapped.

Down 19-9, the Lady Maroons, managed to fight back in the third set with a 12-5 run to cut the deficit to three, 24-21, but Jhoana Maraguinot had enough of UP’s persistence and ended the match with a down-the-line kill.

Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses said their win against the Lady Maroons was a huge confidence booster especially going into their final game of the first round against archrival De La Salle University.

“This was an important win for us because now we’re tied for first, and we’re facing La Salle next so our confidence is at a high right now,” said Meneses. “And we told the players going into this game that the right mindset would be critical because whoever has the better mental strength will win this game.”

Bea De Leon and Maraguinot led Ateneo with 11 points apiece while Mich Morente added 10.

Diana Carlos and Isa Molde had 12 points each to lead the Lady Maroons.

Ateneo had an almost flawless game as the Blue Eagles scored on 40 of its 76 spike attempts and managed to limit its errors to just 14.