Ateneo shuts down NU; UST ends skid

Ateneo closed out National University with five straight kill-blocks. Fitting, since the Lady Eagles are the league’s best blocking team.

Turning the net into a no-fly zone when it mattered the most, Ateneo secured a 25-22, 25-16, 25-17 victory over NU Saturday to create a gridlock at second place in the UAAP women’s volleyball at FilOil Flying V Centre.

It was a statement win for Ateneo, which is on a two-game winning run after dropping the last game of the first round to rival and defending champion La Salle.

“As you can see coach Tai (Bundit) had a different game plan for NU compared to the past games,” said middle blocker Maddie Madayag who had 13 markers. “He put three blockers on Jaja Santiago.”

Sisi Rondina buried 24 spikes and an ace to lift University of Santo Tomas to a vengeful 19-25, 30-28, 25-20, 25-16 triumph over University of the Philippines in the first match.

The Tigresses broke their five-game losing skid and also got back at the Lady Maroons to improve to 3-7 and fan their Final Four hopes.

“I talked to my teammates and said let’s not allow ourselves to finish last,” said Rondina in Filipino.