MANILA: The Ateneo Lady Eagles snatched the UST Golden Tigresses dream, overpowering them in straight sets, 25-17, 25-22. 25-22, in what has been a do-or-die, tooth-and-nail Game 3 showdown to bag the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball championship on Saturday, May 18, at a jampacked Mall of Asia Arena.
The towering trio of Finals MVP Bea de Leon, Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino, feared for their blocking prowess, rallied the Lady Eagles in wrapping up the best-of-three title series, 2-1, with back-to-back wins.
As Ateneo bagged its first crown since its back-to-back title romp in 2014 and 2015, the Lady Eagles also shattered the Tigresses’ heart, as a Rappler report would have it.
“UST came close to ending a near decade-long title drought after taking Game 1 with a surprising straight-set sweep behind season MVP Sisi Rondina and Rookie of the Year Eya Laure,” said the report by Rappler’s JR Isaga.
Here’s Isaga’s account of the match:
Ateneo stayed alive in Game 2 with a four-set decision to force a winner-take-all.
After UST easily fell in the opening set of Game 3, it seemed as though the Tigresses were headed for a quick comeback after taking an 11-7 lead in Set 2.
However, star setter Wong provided a big spark for the Lady Eagles with back-to-back aces highlighting a 5-0 run, 23-20.
UST would inch within one right after, but Rondina ended the frame with a net touch after hitting her head as she fell off the hit.
With momentum fully on their side, the Lady Eagles cruised to the 2nd technical timeout, 16-9, off two straight emphatic hits from Tolentino.
Sophomore libero Dani Ravena even got on the scoreboard off a dig as UST’s late rally lost steam down the stretch.
Along with libero Rica Rivera, Rondina ended her stellar collegiate career without a UAAP championship.
Tolentino led the Lady Eagles with 15 points, 11 coming off attacks. (Rappler photo)
