Lady Eagles blast erratic Tigresses

MANILA, Philippines -  League-leading Ateneo outdueled University of Santo Tomas in a matchup of streaking teams, 25-10, 26-24, 28-26, to roll to their seventh straight victory and eighth overall in the UAAP LXXIX women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

The Lady Eagles overpowered the listless Tigresses in the opening set then stood their ground under serious UST uprising in the second and third frames en route to firming up their hold of the solo lead with an 8-1 card and closer to a Final Four berth.

“We didn’t really expect it to be a straight-set win but because of teamwork it happened,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses.

Jho Maraguinot and Bea de Leon punched in 12 points apiece while Kat Tolentino and Michelle Morente chipped in 10 each to power the Lady Eagles to a sweep of their two elims duels with UST.

UST saw its four-game roll snap as it dropped to a four-way tie for third at 5-4 with University of the Philippines, Far Eastern, and National U.

The Lady Maroons arrested a four-game slide with a 25-14, 18-25, 25-15, 25-10 victory over the UE Warriors.

Diana Carlos sizzled with 21 points while Kathy Bersola and Isa Molde added 18 and 16, respectively, and Arielle Estranera had 42 excellent sets as the Lady Maroons regained traction after getting derailed in their last four outings.

UP, which overcame a lapse in concentration in the second set before putting the Lady Warriors away, improved to 5-4. UE slipped to 1-8.

“We’re able to minimize our errors, especially in receive and the girls are regaining their confidence,” said UP assistant coach Rald Ricafort.

In men’s action, National U streaked to its seventh straight win at the expense of Adamson, 25-21, 25-12, 25-19.

With an 8-1 card, the Bulldogs closed in on a Final Four berth and drove the Falcons down to 2-7.

UST Tigers broke out of a three-match slump, tripping UE, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, to up their cards to 4-5.