Ateneo’s Lyann De Guzman, left, and AC Miner celebrate during a five-set win over UE in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo snapped a three-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament after surviving University of the East, 20-25, 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 15-13, on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I am so happy we won. This is the first [time in a while]. They continue to play at a high level all the time. Today our service worked very well. You can push the [pace] in all the sets and we play very very well in the defense,” Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso said.
AC Miner lifted the Blue Eagles with 23 points made up of 20 attacks and three blocks as Ateneo improved to a 2-5 record at the end of the first round.
READ: UAAP: Lyann De Guzman a bright spot for injury-hit Ateneo
“It’s good to be back here (winner postgame interview) syempre masaya, another panalo ng team,” Miner said. “Masasabi ko lang thank you sa teammates ko sa tiwala nila sakin and sa tiwala sakin ni coach kasi kung hindi dahil sa kanila hindi naman kami mananalo and hindi ko magagawa yung mga points na ito.”
She had a lot of support in Zey Pacia, who delivered 17 points apart from 14 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions and Lyann de Guzman, who also added 17 points, 13 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
“For me, I missed playing talaga coming from an injury last Shakeys. Super so happy to be back and since short kami sa tao, 11 na lang kami, we embrace every role na binibigay ni coach and fill in lang talaga kung ano yung makakahelp sa team namin,” Pacia said after her career-high performance.
With Taks Fujimoto orchestrating the offense with 24 excellent sets, Jihan Chuatico was also able to contribute 10 points.
With the game coming down to the deciding fifth set, Ateneo scored in bunches to establish some cushion away from UE.
READ: UAAP: Sobe Buena injury adds to Ateneo health woes
After a kill off the block by Pacia, UE was forced to a timeout but the Eagles had the momentum on their side and continued building up a lead.
Ateneo was not going to let anything stop it on its tracks, 14-8, not even a late game fight back manufactured by the Warriors, mainly by Nessa Bangayan who led UE in a 5-0 run, 14-13, before De Guzman finally hammered out a cross-court hit for the win.
Bangayan did her best to try and give the Lady Warriors their first win with 24 attacks, but to no avail. Riza Nogales added 14 points while Khy Cepada had 10 points as Tin Ecalla tossed 14 excellent sets.
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Ange Reyes caught 26 excellent digs while Kayce Balingit made her impact on defense with 14 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions apart from her nine points. Despite all these efforts, UE finished the first round winless.
