Ateneo kept its composure and overcame University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 20-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-9 to clinch a Final Four slot the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Eagles, who are headed to the next round for the ninth year straight, bumped their win streak to five games an improved to 9-3 while leaving Golden Tigresses’ with only a mathematical chance to make it to the Final Four.
UST, which dropped to 4-8, will now rely on University of the Philippines, 3-8 record, to defeat National University, 6-5, to get a chance of entering the semifinals.
Ateneo immediately ran through the gates in the fifth set, establishing an 8-3 lead after Kat Tolentino’s thundering kill.
UST tried to hang on in the fifth after Caitlin Viray’s service cut the deficit to three, 12-9, but Tolentino once more proved too great of a deal for the Golden Tigresses.
Tolentino powered through another kill for Ateneo’s 13-9 lead then she stripped the stripes of the Golden Tigresses with a smooth ace for the match winner.
“We’re speechless and we’re really happy that our hard work paid off,” said Ateneo captain Maddie Madayag of their ninth straight trip to the big dance. “Everyone knows we trained during the Holy Week so it’s really fulfilling that our hard work and sacrifice paid off.”
Tolentino was dominant against the Golden Tigresses, finishing with 21 points while Jhoana Maraguinot and Madayag had 19 and 11 points, respectively.
Cherry Rondina led the Golden Tigresses with Milena Alessandrini and Tin Francisco putting up 10 points apiece.
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