UAAP: Lady Eagles shake off bomb scare, sweep Tigresses

Just hours after a bomb threat was called into Ateneo de Manila University, the Lady Eagles showed no signs of being rattled, dispatching the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses in three sets, 25-18 25-21 25-23, Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

Lady Eagle Michelle Morente was named the player of the game as she tallied 14 points, contributing 10 from attacks and three from the service zone.

ADMU is now in third place at 9-4, booking a semis bid. UST saw their slim Final Four hopes shredded, thanks to a 4-9 card.

UST started the match with a quick 4-1 advantage care of Pamela Lastimosa’s sleek, down-the-line attack. Ateneo bounced back behind the energetic Michelle Morente, who displayed aggressiveness in terms of attacking the blockers. Ateneo grabbed a 7-4 lead before coach UST coach Odjie Mamon called for time and regrouped his team. With Loren Lantin’s service ace and Pam Lastimosa’s well-hit attacks, the Tigresses were able to turn around the momentum of the set as they entered the first technical timeout ahead at 8-7.

The Lady Eagles however retaliated quickly as they capitalized on UST’s unforced errors. Morente continued to attack relentlessly as Ateneo regained the momentum quickly. With Alyssa Valdez’s back-row attack and Ella de Jesus’ check ball winner, the Lady Eagles bubbled their lead immediately to 17-11.

UST boasted of a brief 3-0 scoring run care of Lantin’s block and Marivic Meneses’ presence in the front-row, which pulled the Tigresses closer at 23-18. Unfortunately it was a case of too little, too late for UST as Ateneo calmly captured the opening set at 25-18 off Lastimosa’s botched attack.

Ateneo maintained their pace in the succeeding set, as they jumped out to an immediate 7-2 advantage. Carmela Tunay responded for UST and trimmed their deficit down to two, 8-6, nut the Lady Eagles’ well-balanced scoring was too much to handle. A thunderous cross-court winner by Valdez, a deceptive tip from Julia Morado and an awkwardly-hit yet effective spike by Amy Ahomiro highlighted Ateneo’s scoring run and propelled the Lady Eagles ahead at 19-12.

Despite reaching set point at 24-16, the Lady Eagles faltered with a multitude of unforced errors, surrendering a 5-0 scoring run. They however were able to recover from their drought, with Valdez delivering for the Katipunan-based squad, ending the set at 25-21.

The third set featured a back-and-forth affair between the two teams. UST was able to capture the 19-18 lead with key plays from the ever-consistent Lastimosa, but Morente tied the set at 19-all with a well-executed combination play. The score returned to a deadlocked state at 21-all with Carmela Tunay’s attack, before the Tigresses were able to push ahead at the 23-22 mark.

Valdez retaliated with an attack of her own, and Ateneo soon pulled away from the Tigresses as Tajima’s well-timed tip and a Valdez rejection sealed the match at 25-23.

Ateneo's last match of the elimination round is against FEU on Sunday, 4pm at the FilOil Flying V Arena. UST (4-9) will face the Adamson Lady Falcons on Saturday, 2pm at the Araneta Coliseum.  - AMD, GMA News