Ateneo’s Faith Nisperos. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines-Ateneo came out of a long break with renewed vigor and confidence, downing University of the Philippines, 25-20, 25-17, 25-22, on Wednesday at the resumption of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball.
Faith Nisperos hammered the UP defense with 17 attacks and joined forces Vanessa Gandler and Lyann De Guzman in manning their arsenal in a victory the Blue Eagles badly needed going into the final stretch of the tournament.
“We needed this win if we want to go further. We must possess a mindset of being committed each game,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro.
Roma Doromal had 18 digs and Takako Fujimoto helped them out with 12 excellent sets as the Blue Eagles improved to 4-6, running sixth and breathing down FEU’s neck (5-5).
“We used the holy week break to prepare for this match and continue building up the character of our team,” said De Guzman, who contributed eight points, seven receptions and a block.
Nisperos saw her kill sail across the end line, allowing the Lady Maroons to equalize at 16 in the second set before she got back in the ensuing play with another hit and made it count.
Stephanie Bustrillos widened the gap with a pair of wayward strikes to the despair of the UP crowd, after which Gandler’s ace and De Guzman’s down-the-line smash put Ateneo beyond reach.
Nisperos ended the second set by banging in another attack through a block.
Their backs against the wall, the Lady Maroons rallied and put together four straight points with Alyssa Bertolano deflecting what could have been a match point kill by Nisperos.
Marianne Sotomil’s service error in the following sequence, however, dashed UP’s hopes along with the Lady Maroons’ Final Four bid.
Bertolano and Dannica Celis scored nine and eight points each for the Lady Maroons, who dropped their ninth game out of 10 outings.
UP last appeared in the semifinal playoffs in Season 78 during the rookie year of Isa Molde.