Ateneo showed consistency against an error-plagued University of the Philippines and scored a 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 sweep in their first "Battle of Katipunan" of the UAAP Season 84 women's volleyball tournament at the MOA Arena Saturday night, May 14.
The Blue Eagles capitalized on the 29 errors given up by the Lady Maroons with Faith Nisperos still leading all scorers with 16 points off two blocks and 14 spikes.
Backing up Nisperos was Vannie Gandler who all scored 12 points off attacks for Ateneo en route to a 2-3 slate.
The win served as a short breather and motivation for the reigning champion as its men's basketball counterpart suffered a heartbreaking 72-69 loss in overtime against the UP Fighting Maroons in Game 3 of the UAAP Finals.
"Siyempre after the game last night ], we have a game against UP kaagad so gusto naming makabawi, gusto ng Ateneo makabawi kaagad," said Almadro of the fierce rivalry in Katipunan.
"I’m happy with how my players played today, nakasunod sila sa instructions, strategies, at game plan namin for today and malaking bagay yun kapag yung players is slowly getting there," he added.
Jewel Encarnacion paced the Lady Maroons with 13 points all coming from spikes while Alyssa Bertolano added 11 attacks and a block for 13 markers.
UP now shares 3-2 records with powerhouse squads University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle.