Ateneo secures Final Four, beats NU

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo survived a second-set turbulence before cruising to a 25-14, 24-26, 25-17, 25-19 triumph over National University to secure its place in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball Final Four Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In posting their 10th straight win, the Lady Eagles also moved just a win away from nailing a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals.

After handily taking the opening frame, Ateneo saw NU charging back with rookie Ivy Lacsina firing four of her points late in the set to win it and put the Lady Eagles on their toes.

But Ateneo then put its act together, scoring 12 attacks points against seven by NU in the third set to right its course going into the fourth.

The youthful Lady Bulldogs suffered their eighth defeat in 11 matches and are out of the race.