TOP-SEED Ateneo Lady Eagles snapped the UST Golden Tigresses’ four-game winning streak, 10-25, 24-26, 26-28, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Wednesday.
Ateneo took advantage of UST’s porous floor defense with 16 aces and banked on its effective ball distribution as four Lady Eagles finished in double figures.
UST, which trailed 19-24 in the third set, tied the game at 26-all behind a 7-2 run. But Tigress EJ Laure’s back-to-back errors allowed the Lady Eagles to score the sweep.
“Muntikan na kami makakakuha ng set sa Ateneo pero nauna rin kaming kumurap. ‘Yung game kasi ngayon, unang kumurap talo,” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said.
Ateneo build an early 12-6 lead in the first set before pulling away for good off an 8-0 spurt. The Lady Eagles had five aces alone in the set.
The Tigresses had the chance to even the game in the second set, 24-22, but the Lady Eagles scored four quick points, capped by a Jia Morado ace, to take a 2-0 set lead.
Team captain Cherry Rondina was the lone bright spot for UST with 14 markers.
Jhoanna Maraguinot and Bea de Leon led the charge for the Lady Eagles with 12 points apiece while Kat Tolentino and Michelle Morente added 11 and 10, respectively.
The Tigresses (5-4) will face the Adamson University on March 18, Saturday, 2 p.m., at the same venue.
