Ateneo stamps mastery anew over Katipunan rival UP in 5-set thriller

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In a grueling five-set match with three extended frames, the Ateneo Blue Eagles show incredible grit and endurance to outlast the UP Maroons at the start of second-round action in UAAP women’s volleyball

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo reasserted mastery over its cross-street rivals. 

The Blue Eagles withstood a gutsy UP Lady Maroons stand in a five-set thriller, 15-25, 25-23, 27-25, 30-32, 16-14, to pick up their third win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

With the escape, the Blue Eagles won their 11th straight game against their Katipunan neighbor, stretching back to their first-round clash in Season 81 in 2019. 

Ateneo is now tied with UP in the standings with a 3-5 record, along with the Adamson Lady Falcons, in a three-way tie for the fifth seed at the start of the second round. 

“Today, it’s special for our team because we played sometimes with mistakes, but the team never gave up,” Ateneo head coach Sergio Veloso said. 

“If I think about how special this is today, it’s because everybody played at a high level,” he added.

Lyann de Guzman led Ateneo with 25 points, off 23 attacks, while AC Miner contributed 19 markers to carry the Blue Eagles in the game that lasted nearly three hours. 

Three other players scored in double figures for Ateneo as Zey Pacia put up 13 points, Jihan Chuatico with 12, and Taka Fujimoto notched 11 for the Blue Eagles’ balanced outing.

Ateneo built an 11-7 lead in the final set, only to squander it late as UP forged match point at 14-12.

The Blue Eagles then showed their composure, scoring the next four points through UP’s errors. 

Nina Ytang had 24 points on 19 attacks, 4 blocks, and an ace while Irah Jaboneta contributed 20 points on 17 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, along with 13 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.

The Blue Eagles will take on the Lady Falcons on March 29 at the Araneta Coliseum, while the Lady Maroons will next face the defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs on March 26 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. – Rappler.com