MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles battled back from two sets down to score a 14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-12 win over Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball on Sunday at San Juan Arena.
Katrina Tolentino led the way with 19 points, on 17 attacks and two blocks, for the Lady Eagles, which joined University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses and University of the Philippines Lady Maroons at second place with 2-1 win-loss slate.
Madeleine Madayag added 14 markers, including 12 attacks, one block and one service ace, while Pauline Gaston chipped in nine markers to go along with 18 excellent receptions for the Lady Eagles.
After losing the first two sets, the Lady Eagles showed some life in the third period to take a 20-19 advantage. The Lady Tamaraws were still hanging around but a block by Deanna Wong and a hit by Tolentino hand the set to Ateneo.
The Lady Eagles opened the fourth set with 14-7 score but the Lady Tamaraws kept it close at 12-16. Ateneo, however, banked on hits by Tolentino and Madayag to push the match to a fifth set.
Both teams have a tight exchange in the fifth frame with the score tied at 10-all but the Lady Eagles got a break on errors by the Lady Tamaraws for a 14-12 lead. Tolentino completed Ateneo’s fightback with an attack.
Heather Guino-o tallied 16 points, including 14 attacks, while Celine Domingo and Jerrilli Malabanan added 13 markers apiece for the Season 80 runner-ups Lady Tamaraws (1-2)./PN
