By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles overcame a near meltdown in the fifth set to escape with a 20-25, 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 15-13 victory over the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, March 15.
Negrense rookie Jihan Chuatico stepped up with 10 points, including some crucial connections in the fifth set, as the Blue Eagles closed the first round of eliminations with a 2-5 record.
Alexis Miner led the way with 23 points on 20 attacks and three blocks.
Lyann de Guzman posted a triple-double of 17 points, 14 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs, while Zey Pacia also ended with 17 markers for Ateneo.
From a tightly contested start in the fifth set, the Blue Eagles started to pull away behind conversions from Pacia, Chuatico and Alexa Montoro to establish a 14-9 advantage.
The Lady Warriors made their last push at 13-14 courtesy of consecutive points from Nessa Bangayan, but De Guzman finished the game with a powerful crosscourt hit.
“From this point on, the most important thing is that they continue to play on a high level all the time,” Blue Eagles head coach Sergio Veloso said after the game.
“I’m so proud because they understand that they have to push through [despite the injuries],” he added.
Bangayan finished with 24 points to lead the Lady Warriors, while KC Cepada and Kayce Balingit added 10 and nine points, respectively, as they dropped to a 0-7 record.
Meanwhile, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers extended their winning streak with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 sweep of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
Shevana Laput spearheaded the attack anew for the Lady Spikers with 22 points, built on 18 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace, as they notched their fourth consecutive win for a 5-2 record.
Alleiah Malaluan contributed 12 markers on seven attacks, four service aces and a block, while Negrense Angel Canino contributed 10 markers, all coming from attacks, for DLSU./ASC, WDJ