Ateneo blasts UP in UAAP women’s volleyball

Alyssa Valdez.

MANILA, Philippines – Alyssa Valdez tallied a game-high 21 points as Ateneo hardly broke a sweat in defeating also-ran University of the Philippines, 25-14, 25-8, 25-16, Saturday in the UAAP Season 75 women’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

Dzi Gervacio effortlessly came away with 16 points on a season-high eight service aces.

“Confident lang sila ng konti kasi UP kalaban,” said Ateneo head coach Roger Gorayeb. “Hirap din talaga mag-receive ang UP.”

The Lady Maroons showed fight in the early goings of the third set, able to hang around, 12-16.

But Ateneo quickly put the game out of reach with Valdez back at the front line. Valdez converted one of her 16 kills to push her team’s lead to five before scoring again to make it, 20-13.

With the win, Ateneo, which hiked its record to 8-3, gained a full-game advantage over third-placers Adamson and University of Santo Tomas.

The Lady Eagles zoomed to quick 10-2 lead in the second set and never looked back as they banked on a 7-0 blast, highlighted by Gervacio’s four aces, to cruise to a 2-0 set edge.

Ateneo hardly skipped a beat without libero Den Lazaro, who missed the game due to fever.

The Lady Eagles handily won the second set despite committing more unforced errors, 6-3.

Gretchen Ho and Fille Cainglet each had seven points. Valdez and Ho also had five blocks apiece.