Ateneo outlasts UP in five-setter; Adamson sweeps UE in UAAP women's volleyball

Ateneo de Manila University outlasted the University of the Philippines in a five-set thriller, 15-25, 25-23, 27-25, 30-32, 16-14, on Saturday in the opening day of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After being tied at 14 in the fifth set, a net touch error from UP's Irah Jaboneta and an attack error from Yesha Noceja sealed the Blue Eagles' comeback.

“Today, when you think about the teams, we don’t have one specific special player to play very very long. Today, it’s special for our team because we play sometimes with mistakes, but the team never gave up today. If I think about how special this is today, that’s because everybody played at a high level,” Blue Eagles head coach Sergio Veloso said.

Team captain Lyann de Guzman had 25 points from 23 attacks, an ace, and a serve, while AC Miner added 19 points as the Katipunan-based squad improved to 3-5.

Nina Ytang had 24 points, while Jaboneta added 20 as UP slipped to 3-5.

Earlier, Adamson University swept University of the East, 25-20, 25-11, 25-21.

Rookie Shaina Nitura had 18 points as the Lady Falcons improved to 3-5.

UE remained winless in seven games with KC Cepada being the only double digit scorer for the Lady Warriors with 10 points.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News