Ateneo Lady Eagles. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
For the sixth straight year, the UAAP women’s volleyball finals will have blue and green draped all over it.
Ateneo returned to the grandest stage of the UAAP after the two-time champions stopped Far Eastern University, 25-22, 25-10, 16-25, 26-24, Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Eagles will face rival De La Salle in a best-of-three Finals series starting next Saturday.
Michelle Morente, who missed all of the previous season for Ateneo, sent the Lady Eagles to the title series with an off-the-block kill that no Lady Tamaraw was able to corral.
FEU managed to take a 24-23 lead in the final moments of the match, after trailing 23-21, before Ana Gopico tied it at 24-24.
Ateneo skipper Jia Morado said they had to calm themselves down and stick to the game plan to avoid a meltdown against the persistent Tamaraws.
“Coach Tai [Bundit] told us to calm down and meditate,” said Morado who orchestrated Ateneo’s offense to the tune of 51 excellent sets. “We know that we’ve prepared well against FEU. We really had to go back to basics.”
“I also think that we were kind of rattled because FEU played really well but the coaches reminded us to just go back to the basics.”
Heather Guino-o had a chance to give the lead back to FEU but her attempt went straight to the net before Morente ultimately ended the match.
Morente had a game-high 16 points while also contributing on the defensive end with 15 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Jhoana Maraguinot, who missed Ateneo’s last two elimination games, had 14 points while Bea De Leon added 12.
Bernadeth Pons, considered a contender for this season’s MVP, had 14 points, 10 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions to lead the Lady Tamaraws while the graduating Remy Palma had 12 points in her final UAAP game.