TIP shocks shorthanded Ateneo in five sets

In what could be the most memorable game in the history of the school’s volleyball program, Technological Institute of the Philippines took down Ateneo in five sets, 26-24, 14-25, 25-21, 18-25, 15-12, in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference Monday night at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Guest player Mylene Paat proved to be the biggest difference for the Lady Engineers, scoring 10 of her 14 points off from kills, including the final two points that sent her teammates in jubilation.

Eunice Mabayao added nine markers, while Alyssa Layug chipped in seven.

Chie Saet also had a big game for the her team, finishing with four points and 33 excellent sets.

“Masaya naman kami sa panalo namin,” said TIP coach Achilles Paril. “Nagpapasalamat sa dalawang guest players namin kasi kailangan namin sila dahil marami kaming nawalang players from the core of the team due to graduation.”

Tied at 11 in the fifth set, TIP was rewarded with a net error from Ateneo before making the Lady Eagles pay  with a huge block from Rochelle Fidel scoring on a block for a 13-11 lead.

Paat, then, pushed her team to the hill with a hit. Michelle Morente answered back to keep the Lady Eagles in the game, but Ateneo couldn’t completely recover as Paat punctuated the win with a crosscourt hit to shock the UAAP powerhouse.

Paril downplayed his team’s victory as Ateneo played without Jho Maraguinot and Bea de Leon, who are both dealing with injuries, and Alyssa Valdez.

There had been rumors that Valdez will participate as guest player for Ateneo, but the Lady Eagles decided to field in an “all-varsity team,” as per Jasmine Payo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

READ: Lady Eagles open bid minus Valdez

“Alam naman natin na yung team ng Ateneo, lahat bata pa. Yung capability ng team namin, di pa rin at par sa Ateneo,” he said.

Paril, though, is taking it one game at a time as he hopes to improve the talent level of the Lady Engineers.

“Wala naman akong masyadong expectation. Ang goal lang namin, kung manalo kami ngayon, manalo ulit sa next game,” he said.

Ponggay Gaston carried the Lady Eagles with 17 points, 13 coming from kills, while Morente had 16 markers.

Kim Gequillana tallied 13 points, while Ana Gopico got 10 in the defeat.