THE ATENEO de Manila University Lady Eagles reclaimed the UAAP women’s volleyball title in dominant fashion, sweeping an error-plagued UST Golden Tigresses, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22, in Game 3 of the Season 81 finals at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.
The Lady Eagles copped their third championship in six years. They last won the crown in Season 77.
Ateneo’s height made the difference and had a 14-3 advantage in the blocking department. The Lady Eagles also scored 29 easy points off the Tigresses’ errors.
Team captain Sisi Rondina and Rookie of the Year Eya Laure kept UST alive in the third set, forcing a 22-all tie, but Ateneo uncorked a three-point barrage, punctuated by a Jules Samonte off-the-block kill for the win.
The Tigresses had a 20-18 advantage in the second salvo, but the Lady Eagles retaliated with a 5-0 run, topped by Finals Most Valuable Player Bea de Leon’s block kill to gain the lead, 23-20.
UST answered with a two-point swing to reduce the deficit to one, 22-23, but a de Leon kill and a Rondina attack error gave Ateneo a commanding 2-0 set advantage, 25-22.
The Lady Eagles held a slim 14-12 lead in the opening frame before unleashing an 11-5 outburst, capped by Rondina’s attack error to capture the first set, 25-17.
Kat Tolentino had a team-high 15 points, while Maddie Madayag and de Leon chalked up 10 and six markers for Ateneo.
Rondina erupted with a game-high 18 in her final game for UST, while Laure had 10 markers.
The Tigresses will miss the services of Rondina and Rica Rivera next season after exhausting their playing years.
