Lady Eagles show grit, extend series to deciding Game 4

Game on Saturday (Mall of Asia Arena)

4 p.m. – DLSU vs AdMU (rubbermatch)

MANILA, Philippines – While the La Salle gallery started whooping it up and chanted "four-peat, four-peat" with the Lady Spikers up in the deciding set, 12-8, Ateneo went about its business and willed its way back into the thick of things.

Their resilience and never-say-die spirit in full display, the Lady Eagles painstakingly chipped away the Lady Spikers' lead. Trailing, 14-15, Ateneo stopped the La Sallians from securing championship point, scoring the next three points to steal the win, 25-21, 25-23, 18-25, 16-25, 17-15.

From facing thrice-to-beat disadvantage against the seemingly invincible Lady Spikers, the Lady Eagles have forced a rubbermatch for the UAAP Season 76 crown on Saturday.

"It was belief in ourselves and our heart-strong attitude that won it," said Ateneo's Thai coach Anusorn Bundit.

Ateneo outdueled La Salle in the first two sets to get the big cushion, but holders La Salle furiously fought back and with Ara Galang coming into life, handily won the next two as they seized momentum heading into the deciding set.

Not letting up, the La Sallians inched closer into a cherished fourth consecutive crown with Galang punching in successive points for a 12-8 tear, triggering what turned out to be premature celebration from the La Salle gallery among the 18,095 fans.

Ateneo got back and even reached the hill, 14-13, but DLSU regained the upperhand and inched closer to championship point at 15-14. AdMU skipper Alyssa Valdez knotted the count with a hit from the flanks after which Michelle Morente scored one through the block as ADMU closed in on match point.

In the ensuing play, La Salle setter Kim Fajardo was called for an "illegal attack," handing the W to AdMU and leaving DLSU disputing the call. Commissioner Otie Camangian said he will review the tape once more but hinted that initial viewing showed two violations - a double and illegal attack by a back-row player.

"Laging sinasabi sa amin ni coach hangga't hindi pa nakaka-15 o 25 ang kalaban, di pa tapos ang laban  (Coach told us it wasn't over until the opponent got the 15th point). We just played happy, we had teamwork and everyone contributed especially on defense," said Valdez, who topscored with 22 points.

"Na-instill talaga sa amin ni coach yung heart strong (The heart strong attitude that coach is instilling in us carried us through)," she added.

Galang sizzled with 28 points for La Salle but her effort went for naught as the Taft-based squad will have to defend the crown and achieve a rare  four-peat in a winner-take-all on Saturday.