Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo crawled out of huge deficits in the first two sets and then dominated the fourth to stun defending champions La Salle, 26-24, 26-24, 21-25, 25-17, to top the first round of the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Eagles notched their sixth win in seven outings while dropping Lady Spikers to 5-2.
“I think we just didn’t give up in the first two sets and the team really wanted to win,” said assistant coach Sherwin Meneses. “And with our standing right now, I hope it continues to the second round and eventually to the semifinals.”
Ateneo’s victory over its fierce rival muted the din of the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses roar during a huge 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20 victory over preseason favorite Far Eastern Lady Tamaraws in the first game.
La Salle had crippling leads of 23-19 in the first set and 23-18 in the second, but Ateneo seemed to find a way to ramp up their game both times, rallying to take both sets at 26-24.
Mary Joy Baron fueled La Salle’s early run in the first set, helping the Lady Spikers to a 5-1 cushion. But Ateneo simply refused to be denied.
In the second set, Kat Tolentino and Kim Gequillana rallied the Lady Eagles anew in the stretch for a 2-0 set lead.
La Salle, despite winning the third set, was visibly in shambles as Lady Spikers head coach Ramil De Jesus tried to shuffle his roster to put an end to Ateneo’s onslaught.
De Jesus moved Kim Fajardo to the opposite hitter spot, slotting in Michele Cob as setter.
The returning Michelle Morente led Ateneo with 25 points while Tolentino added 18.
Kim Kianna Dy had 15 points to lead La Salle.
The Tigresses ran their win streak up to three as UST collared the Lady Tamaraws at 4-3.
UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes relished his first win against FEU, the Tigresses’ longtime rival, saying this could be the start of his team’s rise this season.
“This was a huge lift to the team’s morale, and things are happening,” said Reyes. “They know that things are starting to develop and our hard work is finally paying off.”