Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo made a huge jump in the upper half of the standings after taking down National University, 25-22, 25-16, 25-17, in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Eagles, who’ve won six of their last seven games, moved from fourth to a triple tie at second place with idle Far Eastern University and the Lady Bulldogs, who all own similar 6-3 slates.
Bea De Leon was a one-woman wall for the Lady Eagles when she sent the ball back to NU three times in Ateneo’s last five points.
De Leon first denied Jaja Santiago for the Lady Eagles’ 21-17 lead before making another block, this time against Audrey Paran, to make it, 24-17.
And as fate would have it, it was De Leon, who once again blocked Paran for the Lady Eagles’ winner.
“Blocking was really crucial for us because as we know their spiking is one of their biggest advantage of course with Jaja at the front line and even Risa [Sato] who’s really fast,” said De Leon. “If we get that stop it’s a huge step up for our defense.”
Although both teams scored 27 points apiece off spikes, the difference was in the service and blocking departments.
Ateneo had an 11-3 advantage in blocks with De Leon’s five already eclipsing NU’s tally as a whole, and the Lady Eagles also outpointed the Lady Bulldogs, 14-3, in aces with Madayag scoring six of those.
Madayag put up 13 points to lead Ateneo while Jules Samonte and Jhoanna Maraguinot adding 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Santiago led the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points.