Lady Eagles bounce back, ground Lady Falcons

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo notched its 10th win in 12 games with a quick three-set sweep of Adamson University, 25-13, 25-13, 25-11, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ateneo regained the first spot from defending champion La Salle (9-2) as the Lady Eagles improved to 10-2 slate.

Kim Gequillana, who served 16 straight times as Ateneo jumped to a 16-0 lead, closed things out for the Lady Eagles with a down the line attack.

With Ateneo a win away from clinching a twice-to-beat advantage, assistant head coach Sherwin Meneses said their game against University of the East is of utmost importance.

“We have to be prepared against UE and we have a week to get ready and wait for coach Tai [Bundit],” said Meneses. “We have to win against UE because that will be the quickest way to get a twice-to-beat advantage before we face La Salle in the final game of the eliminations.”

Meneses is the man in charge of the Lady Eagles as head coach Tai Bundit went to Thailand to attend to matters regarding his responsibilities in the Royal Thai Air Force.

Gequillana led Ateneo with 11 points while Mich Morente added seven.

Ateneo had the luxury of playing all its players that allowed starters Jia Morado, Jho Maraguinot, Gizelle Tan, and Kat Tolentino to take a breather by the end of the third set.

Joy Dacoron had eight points for the 0-12 Lady Falcons, who missed Jema Galanza as the skipper was out due to an illness.