Ateneo, La Salle on top

Ateneo needed only three sets to topple erstwhile unbeaten University of the Philippines, 25-14, 25-19, 25-21, and grab the lead with De La Salle 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, the same record as the Lady Spikers, who trounced the winless University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-18, 25-14, 25-16, earlier.

Ateneo’s fourth straight win and La Salle’s third in a row enabled the archrivals to zoom past UP, which dropped to 4-1.

Trailing 9-19, the Lady Maroons countered with a 12-5 run to threaten at 21-24, but Jhoana Maraguinot ended the match for the Lady Eagles 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 to their final game of the first round against La Salle.

“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 for the Lady Maroons.

Flashing deadly form, the Blue Eagles scored on 40 of theirs 76 spike attempts and limited their errors to 14.

Mae Luna sealed the Lady Spikers’ victory that pulled down the Lady Warriors to 0-6.

Lady Spikers head coach Ramil De Jesus said his team has a newfound mean streak as they have not dropped a set for the past three games.

“They want to win more than ever, because it would be really difficult to come back if you give your opponent any ounce of confidence,” said De Jesus, whose team’s last loss was against UP. “It’s difficult to match up against a confident opponent.”

Kim Dy again topscored for the Lady Spikers with 12 points while Tin Tiamzon added 11.

Mary Anne Fernandez had 9 points for the Lady Warriors. —BONG LOZADA, INQUIRER.NET