17 February 2013, 10:07 p.m. – DERAILED by a heartbreaking opening set loss, the UST Lady Spikers suffered a straight-set beating from Ateneo de Manila, 26-28, 15-25, 22-25, at the end of the elimination round of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan Sunday afternoon.
With the loss, the Lady Spikers dropped to an 8-6 win-loss card and would have to square off with National University (NU) for the last Final Four slot on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
“After a crucial service error, 23-all. (It became) 24-all tapos ‘yun na, breaks of the game,” coach Odjie Mamon said. “Tapos nawala na sa second at third.”
Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez exploded for a game-high 23 points.
Team captain Judy Caballejo topscored for UST with 14 markers.
UST went into a see-saw battle against Ateneo in a tightly contested first set, but wasn’t able to beat the Lady Eagles despite several opportunities.
Following a hapless second set, the Lady Spikers tried to bounce back in the third frame and even led by as much as nine, 15-6, off a Judy Caballejo kill.
But Ateneo mounted a furious comeback on a tightened defense to make it 20-21. Fille Cainglet delivered the final blow for Ateneo with a tactical cross-court spike, 23-25.
“NU will bring their A-game, at kami din,” Mamon said. “Nakalaban namin sila last week sa MOA (Mall of Asia Arena). Meron silang adjustments at meron na rin kami pero may advantage kami kasi kami ‘yung nanalo the last game.” Jose Antonio R. Nisay
