By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles secured a thrilling 15-25, 25-23, 27-25, 30-32, 16-14 victory against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday night, March 22.
Negrense rookie Jihan Chuatico finished with 12 points, built on 10 attacks and two blocks, as the Blue Eagles notched their second straight win for a 3-5 record to start the second round of eliminations.
Lyann de Guzman led the way with 25 points, 17 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs.
AC Miner contributed 19 points, while teammates Zey Pacia and Yvana Sulit finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively, for Ateneo.
After the Fighting Maroons took an early 5-3 lead in the deciding set, the Blue Eagles surged ahead behind the offensive efforts of Pacia, Chuatico and De Guzman for a 10-6 advantage.
The Fighting Maroons responded with their own rally to take a 14-12 lead, but the Blue Eagles countered with two crucial points from Pacia and capitalized on two consecutive errors from UP to clinch the match.
Nina Ytang top-scored for the Fighting Maroons with 24 points, Irah Jaboneta added 20 markers, while Negrense Joan Marie Monares, Kassandra Doering and Kianne Olango contributed 20, 15 and 13 points, respectively, but the team fell to a 3-5 record.
Meanwhile, the Adamson University Lady Falcons snapped a four-game losing skid with a 25-20, 25-12, 25-21 victory over the University of the East Lady Warriors.
Rookie Shaina Nitura led the way with 18 points on 17 attacks and one block to go with five excellent digs and one excellent reception as the Lady Falcons improved to a 3-5 win-loss slate.
Mayang Nuique added 11 markers, coming from eight attacks, two service aces and a block.
Jen Villegas contributed 10 points, while Barbie Jamili ended with nine points for the Lady Falcons.
KC Cepada finished with 10 points on eight attacks, one block and a service ace, while Nessa Bangayan and Riza Nogales had nine and eight, respectively, as the Lady Warriors dropped to a 0-8 record./ASC, WDJ