MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles battled back from a set down to beat National University Lady Bulldogs, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-17, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball on Saturday at San Juan Arena.
Madeleine Madayag finished with 17 points, on 10 attacks, four service aces and three kill blocks, for the Lady Eagles, which ended the first round of eliminations with 6-1 win-loss slate.
Isabel Beatriz de Leon added 13 points, including four blocks, while Pauline Gaston and Kat Tolentino contributed 10 markers each for the Lady Eagles, which is on a six-game winning run.
After dropping the opening set where the Lady Eagles gave up 13 errors, Ateneo bounced back in the second frame with a 16-7 start to build its biggest edge at 22-11 on hits from Tolentino and De Leon.
Lady Bulldogs got the upperhand in the third frame but the Lady Eagles quickly recovered to make it a tightly contested match. Madayag scored the set clincher for the Lady Eagles on a running attack.
In the fourth frame, the Lady Eagles got to an early 15-11 lead which was cut to 14-15 by the Lady Bulldogs. De Leon then led Ateneo’s 5-0 spurt to put the match away for good.
Ilongga Princess Robles tallied 18 points, including 15 attacks, to go along with 21 excellent receptions, while fellow rookie Ivy Lacsina added 11 markers for the Lady Bulldogs (2-5)./PN
