Ateneo opens UAAP Women’s Volleyball 2nd round with huge win over UE

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles are back with their winning ways after kicking off its UAAP Season 85 Women’s Volleyball second-round campaign with a convincing victory last March 25, 2023, held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Ateneo handed the University of the East (UE) a four-set loss, 25-16, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19, to improve to three wins and five losses.

After a rough start in the first round after only winning two games, the Blue Eagles’ quest for redemption is on full display after showing a much-improved net defense.

Superstar outside hitter Faith Nisperos led the charge for the Blue Eagles after finishing the game with 18 big points built from 13 successful attacks.

Perhaps the most outstanding stat in Nisperos’ performance was her five registered blocks that all came midway in the four-set clash.

Steady setter Taks Fujimoto spearheaded Ateneo’s fluid attack after dishing out 14 excellent sets which led to a balanced Ateneo attack with Vanie Gandler, Lyann de Guzman, Joan Narit, and AC Miner each contributing nine points.

Despite the strong fightback from UE when they stole the third set away after a nip-and-tuck affair, the Blue Eagles entered the fourth and final set unfazed and shifted their focus back to their middle blocking.

After Ateneo ramped up its defensive game, UE saw their offensive executions limited while having trouble containing the blazing spikes of the Blue Eagles.

“We’re happy nananalo ang importante lang talaga put up the confidence. Nagkakaroon pa rin ng time na nagda-doubt kami about what we want and need to do but what’s important is we win,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro after the much-needed win.

Up next for the Blue Eagles is the rolling Adamson University in the last scheduled game of the UAAP double header on April 1, 2023.

If Ateneo will pull off the victory, they will have the chance to move up to the standings and clinch a top-five qualification off a three-game winning streak.