Ateneo took care of business and repeated over University of the Philippines, 25-20, 25-17, 25-22, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday, April 12, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Blue Eagles, who are eager to join the tight race for Final Four spots, improved 4-6 in the standings
Faith Nisperos delivered for Ateneo with 17 points on 17 kills, while Vanie Gandler added nine points.
*Faith Nisperos of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. (UAAP Media)*
Despite trailing at some point in the second set over UP, Ateneo regained control and fired a 7-0 run for the finishing touches to hold a 2-0 set lead. Similar to their first-round meeting, the Fighting Maroons showed flashes of brilliance and pulled themselves within two in the third after trimming a 24-17 deficit into a 24-22. However, Marianne Sotomil’s service error came at the wrong time as Ateneo ran away with the sweep. “We need this win, of course, if we want to go further. We have to be focused and be committed every match and every game. So, ‘yon lang naman ang mindset namin. So , we’re happy that we won in straight sets,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro. UP, which slid deeper into a 1-9 hole, was paced by Alyssa Bertolano with nine points as the rest of the Fighting Maroons were similarly held to a single-digit production. With the ninth loss, the Fighting Maroons are now out of the Final Four contention.
*Faith Nisperos of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. (UAAP Media)*
Despite trailing at some point in the second set over UP, Ateneo regained control and fired a 7-0 run for the finishing touches to hold a 2-0 set lead. Similar to their first-round meeting, the Fighting Maroons showed flashes of brilliance and pulled themselves within two in the third after trimming a 24-17 deficit into a 24-22. However, Marianne Sotomil’s service error came at the wrong time as Ateneo ran away with the sweep. “We need this win, of course, if we want to go further. We have to be focused and be committed every match and every game. So, ‘yon lang naman ang mindset namin. So , we’re happy that we won in straight sets,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro. UP, which slid deeper into a 1-9 hole, was paced by Alyssa Bertolano with nine points as the rest of the Fighting Maroons were similarly held to a single-digit production. With the ninth loss, the Fighting Maroons are now out of the Final Four contention.