UAAP volleyball: Ateneo douses Adamson fightback for second win

Lyann De Guzman and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo squandered a set that could have gone its way before downing Adamson, 25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23, on Wednesday night in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

Lyann De Guzman struck the Lady Falcons without letup together with Sophia Buena, especially in the final frame on the way to securing their second win in six games.

“We overcame (the Adamson comeback) by being mentally strong and aggressive,’’ said De Guzman after firing 22 attacks apart from her eight receptions.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

Buena scored her last four attacks at the conclusion of the fourth set and likewise totaled 22 points with 10 digs while Geezel Tsunashima and AC Miner also contributed 12 points apiece and had a pair of blocks each.

“It’s important for us not to lose our composure and fighting spirit during end games. We continued to fight and played within our system,’’ said Buena.

De Guzman’s aggressiveness at the net in the first set put the Blue Eagles ahead by two before May Ann Nuique’s attack error and a smash by Tsunashima widened the lead to 21-17.

READ: UAAP volleyball: Lyann De Guzman delivers for Ateneo against their former coach

Buena punched a couple of cross court spikes on the same spot, Tsunashima scored an ace and an erroneous running attack by Adamson’s Jen Villegas secured the set for Ateneo.

The Blue Eagles pressed it on as De Guzman and Buena alternated in boring holes into the Adamson defense in the second frame, enabling them to secure a two-set advantage.

Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

With the game on the line, the Lady Falcons suddenly rose to the occasion with Rochelle Lalongisip and Nuique joining forces with Lucille Almonte in turning back Ateneo in the third set.

Lalongisip engineered a huge 9-0 run with various hits on the Blue Eagle’s floor, tying the match at 20, before Nuique’s spike down the middle enabled Adamson to snatch the advantage.

Long back-to-back hits by Almonte that struck Ateneo’s backrow proved critical before the Lady Falcons finally extended the match courtesy of an unforced error by Buena.

WATCH: Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso, Sobe Buena, Lyann De Guzman, and Taks Fujimoto after beating Adamson. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/JBzsmB7mlD

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Lalongisip and Almonte finished with 11 attacks each as well as Nuique, who had three blocks in keeping Adamson on its toes.

“Our team played with great energy tonight. Our service was our first attack and we did a good job,’’ said Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso.

Takako Fujimoto tossed 15 excellent sets and Roma Doromal had 19 digs and 16 receptions in a splendid defensive effort for the Blue Eagles, who tied the Adamson at 2-4 with one game left in the first round.

After digging a hole for themselves at the start of the fourth set, the Blue Eagles managed to keep pace with De Guzman’s off-the-block strike and Tsunashima’s block leveling the count one last time at 21.

Buena then turned on the heat, scoring hits on the same angle twice and sending another smash with no defender around.

Jennifer Delos Santos committed a service error, but Buena quickly rectified the situation with a cross court kill to end the match.