Blue Eagles swoop down on Lady Warriors to end drought

MANILA, Philippines -- Finally, a win for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The Blue Eagles are winless no more after sweeping the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16, in their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball clash Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

Ana Hermosura and Jihan Chuatico powered the Blue Eagles with 12 points apiece, while Zel Tsunashima and Dona de Leon chipped in 10 markers each. 

After grinding out the first two sets, the Katipunan-based squad had to pull away in the third. 

UE trailed by three, 12-15, after a Khy Cepada spike. 

The Blue Eagles unleashed a 7-2 run, but Cepada tried to tow the Lady Warriors back into it, 15-22. 

An off-speed attack by Alex Montoro pushed Ateneo to the match point, 24-15, and it was enough to shut the door on UE. 

Cepada carried the offensive load for UE with 13 points with 11 attacks and two aces. Van Bangayan produced 10 points. 

Ateneo thus closed off the first round with a 1-6 win-loss record, while UE dropped to 0-7. 

In men’s action, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws swept the first round of the eliminations with a four-set victory over the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, 28-30, 25-22, 25-17, 25-22. 

FEU's Dryx Saavedra and Lirick Mendoza had 17 points each. Mikko Espartero chipped in 14 markers to go with 24 receptions, as Ariel Cacao tossed up 30 excellent sets. 

Josh Ybanez had 21 points for the Golden Spikers. 

Ateneo also swept UE, 25-14, 25-17, 25-20 as Jian Salarzon led the charge for the Blue Eagles with 15. 

Raquim Aceron had 14 for the Red Warriors.