Games Saturday
(FilOil EcoOil Centre, San Juan City)
9 a.m. – UST vs UE (Men)
11 a.m. – UST vs UE (Women)
3 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson (Men)
5 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson (Women)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University stamped its class and blanked Ateneo, 25-23, 25-19, 25-15, for its second straight three-set win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Wednesday, Feb. 19.
The Lady Bulldogs proved to be too strong for the rebuilding Lady Eagles as they needed only 1 hour and 19 minutes to wrap up the match and remain undefeated in the tournament they are out dominate for the second straight season.
While the usual suspects delivered the numbers expected from them, the squad gave rookie Celine Marsh rousing cheers when she punctuated the team’s assault with another booming shot.
And that made coach Sherwin Meneses very happy.
“Sobrang happy kasi talagang total team effort ‘yong nangyari ngayon sa game,” said Meneses. “Hopefully, mag-improve pa ‘yong team effort namin sa mga next games.”
“Marami pang kailangan mai-improve, kasi marami kaming unnecessary errors kanina,” added Vange Alinsug, who listed 10 points.
Last year’s Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon led all NU scorers with with 12 points built on 10 attacks, one block and one ace. Bella Belen had a quiet nine points while Camilla Lamina also played a key role with 14 excellent sets on top of two kills.
AC Miner, Alexia Montoro, and Lyann De Guzman scored nine points each for the Lady Eagles in a losing effort.
Ateneo started strong and made big plays in the opening set where Jihan Chuatico and Montoro dazzled and kept the game close – 23-22 – to the surprise of many – NU fans included.
But when the Lady Bulldogs decided to declare that it was time to rock-and-roll, Alinsug produced back-to-back howitzers to end the opening frame.
In the men’s division, the NU Bulldogs overcame a shaky start and posted a thrilling 23-25, 26-24, 27-25, 29-27 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles to likewise make it two in a row.
Even with a sparse crowd, both squads played with gusto, trading powerful shots and coming through with great defensive efforts – not to mention long and furious rallies.
But in the end, NU’s experience made the difference.
The win over Ateneo was NU’s 10th straight since April of 2018.
Leo Ordiales poured in 14 points on 13 kills while Peng Taguibolos impressed on both ends as he tallied his 13 points off seven attacks and six blocks.
Ken Batas starred for Ateneo with 21 points along with 21 excellent receptions and three digs while Jian Salarzon and Brian Castro added 12 points each.
The Eagles slipped to 1-1 card while the Lady Eagles dropped to 0-2.
