MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles pulled off a 25-20, 25-20, 25-20 stunner over the University of Sto. Tomas Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Faith Nisperos spearheaded the offense with 18 points, including 15 attacks, along with seven excellent receptions. The Blue Eagles moved up to 5-5 win-loss slate.
Vanessa Gandler and rookie Joan Narit also hit double figures on offense with 12 and 11 markers, respectively. Rookie middle blocker AC Miner contributed eight markers.
Ilonggas Roma Mae Doromal and Dani Ravena took turns on the defensive end with eight excellent digs and seven excellent receptions, respectively, as Jaja Maraguinot tossed 16 excellent sets in the win.
“Sabi lang namin sa isa’t isa we have to take this win home, pero indeed, they want to take this win home. We’re not looking at it na kailangan straight sets e, we just did our job,” said Blue Eagles head coach Oliver Almadro.
With the Golden Tigresses tying the game at 18-all in the third set, Miner and Nisperos unloaded five unanswered points to take a 23-18 advantage for the Blue Eagles.
Ejiya Laure ended the drought for the Golden Tigresses with a kill, but Nisperos answered right back on back-to-back possessions to secure the victory in the two team’s second encounter since the UAAP Season 82 finals.
“We prepared for this, nag-manifest naman sa mga kilos ng bata. May mga lapses pero nakaka-recover right away. We don’t mind kung ilang sets, ‘di namin napansin na matatapos na pala in straight sets so we just grabbed it,” added Almadro.
A total of 12 players scored for the Golden Tigresses with Laure leading the charge with 14 points along with 14 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
Despite slumping to 7-3 win-loss slate and seeing their four-game winning run snapped, the Emilio Reyes-mentored Golden Tigresses are still locked in at second place in the standings./PN
