Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Facing an enemy desperate to extend its season, Ateneo countered with cutting-edge sharpness and flair to make its own grand entry into the Final Four on Wednesday.
The Lady Eagles dragged University of Santo Tomas to the limit and then pummeled the Tigresses in the final set to prevail, 25-22, 20-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-9, in the UAAP women’s volleyball competition at FilOil Flying V Center.
Ateneo’s versatile spiker Kat Tolentino unloaded 21 points, including the winning ace that flogged the last of Santo Tomas’ attempts to turn the game around and stay alive in the semifinal hunt.
“We held on and really trusted our training and each other,” said Tolentino. “Seeing that (trust) on the court is such a blessing.”
Later in the evening, University of the Philippines dealt National University a fifth straight defeat via a remarkable 25-18, 25-22, 25-20 triumph.
With no chance of making the Final Four, the Lady Maroons fought with a lot of pride to fashion out only their third win in 12 games that left the Lady Bulldogs’ semifinal chances hanging by a thread.
Ateneo thus stayed unbeaten in five games in the second round and rose to 9-3 overall. Jho Maraguinot added 19 points for the Lady Eagles, who will make their ninth straight Final Four stint.
In men’s action, NU beat UP, 25-12, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20 to post its 10th win in 12 matches. UP dropped to 3-9. Adamson downed La Salle, 25-22, 16-25, 25-15, 29-27, to rise to 6-6 and pull down La Salle to 4-8.