Ateneo continues its improbable run in the playoffs as it hacked out a 17-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-20 victory over three-peat champion De La Salle to move two wins away from a title in the UAAP Women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday.
Alyssa Valdez and rookie Michelle Morente played big for the Lady Eagles to turn back the undefeated Lady Spikers before a huge crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
photo credit: Josh Albelda/Rappler
Down by a set, rejuvenated Ateneo team came alive in the second frame and then rolled in the remainder of the game to hand La Salle their first setback of the season.
Morente showed the way with 17 hits while Valdez and Amy Ahomiro added 16 points for the Lady Eagles, who also dislodged NU in the semifinals despite the latter’s twice-to-beat advantage and also have won seven straight games.
Cyd Demecillo and Ara Galang had with 16 and 13 points respectively for the Lady Spikers, who were in disarray in the second set.
The rival teams will clash again on Saturday also at the Big Dome.
Earlier, National University Bulldogs nailed their second straight championship in the Men’s Division after outlasting Ateneo Blue Eagles,25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 27-25.