Ateneo captain Faith Nisperos attacks against the UE defense in their UAAP Season 85 second round match. UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) -- Ateneo de Manila University posted its first winning streak of the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament after taking care of business against the University of the East on Saturday morning.
The Blue Eagles recovered from a third set blunder to claim a 25-16, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19 triumph at the PhilSports Arena to open the second round of the tournament.
It was their second win in a row after ending the first round with a sweep of Katipunan rivals University of the Philippines. The Blue Eagles are now 3-5 in the season.
Team captain Faith Nisperos led Ateneo with 18 points on 13 kills and five blocks in the game. She also received ample support from Joan Narit, AC Miner, and Lyann de Guzman, who all scored nine points apiece.
“Well, of course, we're happy na nanalo and ang importante lang talaga, put up the confidence. Nagkakaron parin ng time na nagda-doubt kami about what we want to do, what we need to do, but what's important is we win. So three sets, four sets, five sets, we'll take the win lalo na ngayon, second round. What's important is the wins,” head coach Oliver Almadro said.
Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors leaned on Ja Lana and KC Cepada, who both registered 18 points each. They, however, remained winless after eight games.
Ateneo averted another collapse in the fourth frame as they broke away from 11 deadlock with a 5-0 spurt, started by Nisperos’ off-the-block kill, 16-11.
A running kill by Miner widened the gap to seven, 20-13, but UE made a final push with Cepada going for an off-the-block attack, 18-22.
It proved to be the last hurrah for the Lady Warriors as Geezel Tsunashima put the Blue Eagles at match point before De Guzman hammered a free ball to end the game.