MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — Defending champions Ateneo Lady Eagles opened their 3-peat bid with an emphatic sweep of the NU Lady Bulldogs, 25-21, 25-19, 25-14, in the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday, January 31 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Eagles extended their win streak to 19 dating back to the finals of Season 76 and including their Season 77 sweep.
Reigning back-to-back MVP Alyssa Valdez dropped a game-high 18 points on 15 kills and 3 service aces. Second year middle hitter Maddie Madayag, who has transitioned into a starter from a role player last season, registered 13 points including 5 blocks and 3 aces.
Bea De Leon had 10 points and two blocks, while Jhoana Maraguinot and Amy Ahomiro had 7 and 6 markers, respectively.
Last year's Best Setter Jia Morado also schooled NU's rookie setter Rica Diolan, posting 33 excellent sets compared to Diolan's 6.
"It's the first match, it's still a long way to go," Valdez said after the game. "We're really happy we got the first game and I think it's a character-building for all of us especially the younger ones. Definitely I learned from them and I hope they learned from the game."
"Sabi nga nila, sana hindi lang sa talo natututo, pati sa panalo matuto kami (As they say, we should learn not only from a loss but also from a win)," added last season's Best Scorer and Best Server.
Ateneo was tentative in the opening set, allowing NU to lead 17-12 before graduating team captain Valdez took over and scored 7 of the Lady Eagles' last 8 points to win.
It was the same trend in the second set as Ateneo came back from a 15-8 deficit thanks to the efforts of Valdez and costly errors by NU.
By the third set the Lady Eagles found their bearings and never allowed their foes an inch, taking a 19-10 lead to cruise to victory.
"Coach Tai (Bundit) definitely made it possible. Even when we're behind he always tells us 'heartstrong, happy' and it really works. We just stay calm," Valdez said of Ateneo's early struggles, noting the team is still adjusting to playing without reliable libero and last year's Best Receiver Denden Lazaro as well as veteran Ella De Jesus, who both graduated already.
"In the third set it was hard to maintain and stay consistent all throughout."
Jaja Santio and Myla Pablo had 11 points each to lead the Lady Bulldogs, who lost in the semifinals to La Salle last season. Jorelle Singh added 11 points. — Rappler.com