Through two games in Season 77, the Ateneo Lady Eagles have yet to lose a set after dominating Adamson in straight sets
Alyssa Valdez slams home 1 of her game-high 15 points to lead Ateneo to victory. Photo by Josh Albelda
MANILA, Philippines - So far in their UAAP Season 77 women's volleyball campaign, the defending champion Ateneo Lady Eagles have taken on two rivals who were in last season's Final Four round and are favorites to reach it again this year.
After those two matchups, the Lady Eagles have not only yet to lose a game, but none of their two opponents have even managed to win a set.
The UAAP women's volleyball tourney goes through Ateneo, which was made more clear after the Lady Eagles, now 2-0, easily took care of the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-16, 25-18, 25-14, on Wednesday, November 26, at The Arena in San Juan City.
Reigning league MVP Alyssa Valdez had another high-caliber performance, finishing with 15 points - 13 on spikes - while Michelle Morente also scored in double figures, putting up 12 points. Jorella De Jesus also helped out with 9 points, including 2 service aces.
(RELATED: Valdez assures Lady Eagles not bothered by pressure, expectations)
Jessica Galanza lead the now 0-2 Lady Falcons with 12 points. Mylene Paat was the team's second leading scorer with 9 markers
Ateneo was careless in the first set, awarding Adamson with seven easy points due to turnovers. However, the Lady Eagles were unstoppable early in the block points department, as they totaled five to the Lady Falcons' one.
One of Adamson's three first set errors gave Ateneo a 23-16 lead late in the first set. In the subsequent possessions, kills by De Leon and Morente sealed the first period to give the Lady Eagles a one set to zero lead.
Both teams exchanged scores for most of the second set, with Ateneo going ahead 17-16 late in the period. The Lady Eagles then went on a critical 3-0 run, capped of by an emphatic cross-court kill from Valdez, that turned the momentum back to their side.
Ateneo scored four of the game's next five points, capped off again by an indefensible spike from Valdez, making the count 24-17 in their favor.
(RELATED: DLSU Lady Spikers dispatch National U in straight sets)
Adamson converted an ace after to stop the bleeding, but Morado countered with an ace of her own to finish the second set at 25-18, a win for the Lady Eagles, who got within one set away from attaining a second straight three-set victory.
In the third set, Ateneo didn't waste time building a lead as they went on top 10-4 after forcing a couple of miscues from their opponents. The Lady Eagles' lead continued to balloon up to 20-10 at one point before Galanza converted on a spike to stop their run.
Both clubs exchanged conversions in the following plays, with an error from Galanza awarding the Ateneans a 24-14 advantage, victory close in sight. ADMU then didn't waste any time to finish the contest, leaning on a towering block point from the lengthy Amy Ahomiro, who totaled 8 points in the win, to put the finishing touches on the game.
Ateneo had more spike scores than Adamson, 40-26, and dominated in the blocks department, 13-2. The Lady Falcons won the battle of digs, 21-18, but had only 20 sets to their opponents' 27.
The defending champions will be back in action on Saturday, November 29, when they take on the FEU Lady Tamaraws. Adamson, meanwhile, will take on the UE Lady Warriors, who are currently on a 29-game losing streak, on Sunday, November 30.
Scores
Ateneo (75): Valdez 15, Morente 12, De Jesus 9, De Leon 8, Ahomiro 8, Maraguinot 2, Madayag 2
Adamson (48): Galanza 12, Paat 9, Villanueva 7, Guevara 2, Dacoron 1, Alkuino 1
Set Scoring: 25-16, 25-18, 25-14
- Rappler.com
