Lady Eagles gain solo 2nd as National University belles fall

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo soared to its third straight win, taking University of the East as its latest victim, 25-14, 18-25, 25-13, 25-18, to solidify its hold of second spot in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan. 

The Lady Eagles leaned on their net defense and efficient attacks to dispose of the Lady Warriors in four and hike their record to 7-3 behind La Salle’s leading 8-2.

Kat Tolentino sizzled with 22 points off 16 attacks, five blocks and one ace while Jho Maraguinot added 16 markers with 18 digs and Deanna Wong tossed 50 excellent sets in Ateneo’s 54 total attacks to lead the team to victory. 

The Lady Eagles conceded only 38 attacks and extracted 13 points off blocks. 

“As long as we play happy and heartstrong, we can go far in the tournament,” said Tolentino. 

Shaya Adorador punched in 21 for UE, which couldn’t build from their second-set win and dropped to 2-8.

In the men’s division, Far Eastern nipped University of the Philippines, 25-22, 25-20, 25-21, to clinch at least a playoff for a Final Four berth with 8-2.

Jude Garcia and Rediljohn Paler scored 13 apiece to lead the Tams to a follow-up to their five-set thriller over Ateneo last Saturday and a share of No. 2 with the idle Blue Eagles.

La Salle, meanwhile, boosted its semis bid with a 25-23, 25-17, 25-15 rout of winless University of the East. The Archers improved to 4-6 in a tie for fourth with Santo Tomas and Adamson.

In the second game, Adamson added to the woes of skidding National U, hammering out a big reversal, 25-19, 25-15, 18-25, 25-13.

Jema Galanza delivered 16 markers and 11 receptions as the Lady Falcons pounced on the Lady Bulldogs’ erratic ways (39 overall) to post their second consecutive win and 5-5 overall while dealing NU a third straight setback for a 6-4 card.