Ateneo extends win streak, UST halts 2 game skid

UP's Pauline Genido tips the ball over Ateneo's defense.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Nothing perhaps has changed for the UP Fighting Lady Maroons on Wednesday. With all the talent, experience and size they have, those advantages didn't seem to matter whichever opponent they faced. You can't blame UP Coach Vip Isada on the latter. It's either they are playing their worst or they've totally abandoned ship. He better find a way to regroup his team and score a W in the second round.

Fille Cainglet of Ateneo goes for a power play.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Won't be an easy task though as they try to get past the Ateneo Lady Eagles. The Spikers in Blue are in a hot winning streak, fresh from their big win against the UST Tigresses last Saturday. A win on the Lady Maroons would bring them a step higher in the standings.

The Ateneo Lady Eagles celebrate their win over the UP Lady Maroons.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Ateneo didn't have problems taking the first set. In the second set however, UP started showing some confidence in their game yet they couldn't stop Ateneo's strong plays. Mela Lopez and Pauline Genido did everything they could to stave off a sweep in the third set but it was a little too late. The Lady Eagles were simply too much to handle for the Lady Maroons. Ateneo got an easy W over UP 3 sets to nil.

Ateneo's Jamenea Ferrer gets some interview time.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Mela Lopez finished with 9 points (8 attacks and 1 sevice ace) in a losing effort.

Jamenea Ferrer of Ateneo was named Player of the Game while teammate Dzi Gervacio was the Best Scorer chalking up 13 points (10 attacks and 2 service aces).

Ateneo -- 3 UP -- 0

25-10, 25-18, 25-16

Aiza Maizo of UST tries to score over Maricar Nepomuceno (no. 8) and Elaine Sagun (no. 1) of NU.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The National University Bulldogs and the UST Tigresses cross paths again in the 2nd round. The defending champs look to bounce back from their 2-game losing streak. Their loss to the Ateneo last Saturday was perhaps more heartbreaking than their game against La Salle. Judging from their previous meeting with the Lady Bulldogs about a week ago, getting a win won't be an easy one -- literally.

Fun times: UST's Judy Caballejo (11), Midori Hirotsuji (4) and Maika Ortiz (10) were all smiles after their timeout.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

As expected, NU gave UST a run for their money. The Lady Bulldogs showed them why they are the most improved team in the UAAP. Back and forth action for both teams HOWEVA the Tigresses won set number 1 the hard way. It looked like NU would have the same performance but UST finally got their groove back and dominated the second set. Confidence has returned for the Tigresses as they are up 2-o. UST Coach Shaq Delos Santos can now breathe easy.

The Tigresses' Aiza Maizo on the attack.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The real story was in the third set, UST held NU scoreless until they reached the 19-point mark. The Lady Bulldogs started making a brief scoring run but it was all too late. NU played their worst game in set 3 as the UST got a sweeping 3-0 win -- thus ending their 2-game skid.

The one that got away.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The UST Tigresses go for a celebration.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Player of the Game was UST's Maruja Banaticla scoring 18 points (15 attacks and 2 service aces).

Player of the Game: Maruja Banaticla answers a few questions.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

UST -- 3 NU -- 0

27-25, 25-14, 25-12


Men's Volleyball Results

1st Game:

UP -- 3 NU -- 0

26-24, 25-21, 26-24

2nd Game:

UST -- 3 Adamson -- 1

14-25, 17-25, 25-20, 21-25