Blue Eagles break through

February 24, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo scored a breakthrough win at the expense of erstwhile unbeaten University of the Philippines, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Later in the night, Alyssa Solomon and Vange Alinsug came through when it mattered the most as National U stretched its perfect season start to 3-0 with a gut-wrenching 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8 win over Far Eastern U.

Clipped by Adamson and National U in back-to-back games, the Blue Eagles would not be denied even against the vastly improved Fighting Maroons with Sophia Buena providing the spark in her first game after missing the first two matches due to an ankle injury.

Buena served as the silver lining in Ateneo’s paltry season start with the team hit by injuries to Geezel Tsunashima and Jlo Delos Santos. Buena fired 17 points on 15 hits, a block and ace along with six digs to tow the Blue Eagles to a 1-2 slate.

Ateneo, which drew solid coverage from Lyann de Guzman (14) and AC Miner (12), needed 89 minutes to stop UP on its tracks after its impressive start even without Casiey Monique Dongallo yet.

“When everybody plays good, the team will be good,” Ateneo head coach Sergio Veloso said, giving credits to Takako Fujimoto in orchestrating the onslaught of the crippled Blue Eagles unit with 14 sets.

“I give my congratulations to Taks because when all the spikers play good, it is because the setter plays very well. Especially in this match, our service worked to our plan. Our service is our first attack.”