BY ABBY TORALBA
ATENEO tripped University of the Philippines 25-14, 25-20, 25-15 yesterday in the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Unlike when they first met in the first round where they needed to dig deep to beat the Fighting Maroons 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 15-9, the Blue Eagles barely broke a sweat this time.
Ateneo now holds solo fifth at 3-6 but is still a game and a half behind fourth-running Far Eastern University at 4-4.
“I’m so happy! These past two weeks were so challenging; we played four times, but most importantly, our performance remained at the same level. In all these matches, the players played very well,” said Eagles coach Sergio Veloso.
Coming off a solid performance in last Wednesday’s five-set loss to leader University of Santo Tomas that put the league on notice, Ateneo sustained its high level of play.
The Eagles did not let their foot off the gas despite taking a commanding 2-0 set lead, starting the third set with a 14-6 barrage to the win in one hour and 24 minutes.
Geezel Tsunashima delivered one of her finest performances this season with 16 points on 13-of-27 attacks and three blocks with six digs.
“I’m very happy sa performance ng team and hopefully sa susunod na games namin mas maging aggressive pa kami and i-embrace pa namin ‘yung system ni coach Sergio, and hopefully makuha talaga namin ung Final Four,“ said Roma Mae Doromal, who had 13 receptions and eight digs.
Sobe Buena had 10 points, while AC Miner and Lyann De Guzman added eight points each.
