Tigresses foil Lady Maroons bid for lead; Lady Eagles stun Lady Tams

University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo hammered out victories on Sunday night that kept them in championship discussion.

Ateneo fought back from two sets down to bring down Far Eastern University, 14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Kat Tolentino scored 19 points, including the winning attack, for the Lady Eagles who lost to archrivals La Salle Lady Spikers on opening day.

Earlier, UST mounted a daring ambush against title contender and erstwhile unbeaten University of the Philippines to prevail, 21-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20.

The Tigresses overcame the strong, methodical game of the Lady Maroons to score their second victory in three games—one that served notice of their championship credentials.

Ateneo and UP also hold 2-1 cards, just behind three-time defending champion La Salle’s 2-0.

After dropping the opening frame, UST’s big guns—Sisi Rondina, Milena Alessandrini and rookie Eya Laure—rebounded by keeping UP under heavy fire all afternoon.

Alessandrini, the silent but powerful middle blocker, topscored with 22 points, while Laure and Rondina accounted for 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Laure, younger sister of former UST stalwart EJ, displayed sharpness  hardly seen in a neophyte.

“I just wanted to fire up the team because they always tell us we’re too sweet,” Laure said.

It was a revenge of sorts for the Tigresses who lost the Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam title to the Lady Maroons late last year.

In men’s play, FEU stayed on top at 3-0 after humbling Ateneo in five sets, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 16-14.

The Blue Eagles, champions two seasons ago, dropped to 1-2.

UST also beat UP, 26-24, 25-27, 25-23, 25-13, for a 2-1 slate.