Eagles bounce back, prey on Tigresses

MANILA, Philippines — Struck down the last time out, Ateneo spread its wings and clawed University of Santo Tomas, 25-21, 25-18, 16-25, 25-22, in the UAAP season 81 women’s volleyball at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Later in the day, University of the Philippines picked up its second straight win, dumping Far Eastern University, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, 25-20.

The Lady Maroons held a nine-point advantage at match point, 24-16, but needed to fend off a last ditch effort by the Lady Tamaraws who saved it four times before Isa Molde’s attack finally sealed the match for UP.

The Lady Eagles yielded to archrival La Salle Lady Spikers, 14-25, 17-25, 25-16, 19-25, in their first game Sunday but wasted no time in fashioning out the bounce-back win.

“I want to thank the Lord kasi ibinigay Niya ang first win ko sa UAAP women’s. Mahirap talaga dito sa women’s pala,” said new Ateneo women’s coach Oliver Almadro, who led the school’s men’s team to three straight titles two seasons ago.

“Sa women’s, you really have to take a look at and be mindful of the details. Unlike sa men’s, you really have to put lang power and intensity. Here, kailangan may details, iisa-isahin mo talaga and the moods of women players talagang iba,” he explained.

ADMU blundered in its reception in the third – which UST parlayed to eight aces to seize the frame – but took the fourth and the match mostly on errors by the Tigresses.

UST committed 13 errors in the final set, the last a wayward Milena Alessandrini down-the-line attempt that sealed it for the Lady Eagles.

“My players showed resiliency after a loss. Hindi ako nahirapan to recover kasi sila mismo, they believed they will win today,” said Almadro.

Kat Tolentino hammered in 22 points, three of them in a crucial stretch in the fourth, and also contributed 11 digs, while Maddie Madayag scored half of ADMU’s game-best 12 blocks in her 15-point output.

Sisi Rondina produced 20 points and 24 digs, Eya Laure punched in 12 points while Milena Alessandrini put in 10 points and 19 excellent receptions for UST which dropped to 1-1 after an opening day win against Adamson.