MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles moved to the next phase of the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball stepladder semis with a 25-23, 25-23, 25-20 sweep of the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Tuesday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Faith Nisperos did it all for the defending champions Blue Eagles with 23 points on 17 attacks, four service aces, and two blocks on top of eight excellent receptions.
Vanessa Gandler chipped in 15 points on the victory while Erika Raagas and rookie Alexis Miner chimed in nine and seven points, respectively, for Ateneo.
“It’s a matter of maybe finishing it right and of course, ulit-ulit naming sinasabi ‘yung aming battle cry as a team na faith, trust, courage,” said Nisperos.
Trailing by a point in the first frame, Blue Eagles’ Miner and Gandler took a point apiece before off the bench Lyann De Guzman blocked Golden Tigresses’ Ejiya Laure for the early advantage, 25-22.
And in the second set, it was deja vu as the Blue Eagles came back from 22-23 down, courtesy of Nisperos, Gandler, and Jeycel Delos Reyes, for the 2-0 set lead, 25-23.
Ahead by just three in the third set, the Blue Eagles connected on four straight occasions to stretch their lead to seven, 22-15, en route to the 25-20 clincher.
“We know naman na UST will be tough eh. Nakita niyo kami ‘yung naghahabol, we just finished it strong and right,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro. “We just relied on our fundamentals and doing it right.”
The Golden Tigresses were led by Laure with 15 points to go with her 17 excellent receptions and eight digs, Imee Hernandez added 11 points while Ysa Jimenez had nine points off the bench.
The Blue Eagles will next face their archrival De La Salle University Lady Spikers, armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, on Thursday night for the right to face National University Lady Bulldogs in the finals./PN
