2 weeks Ago By Martin Mendoza
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rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-1" );MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles snapped their three-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament after escaping the UE Lady Warriors in a thrilling five-setter, 20-25, 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 15-13, at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, March 15.The Blue Eagles leaned on the trio of AC Miner, Lyann de Guzman, and Zey Pacia in the hard-fought victory as they ended the first round with a 2-5 record and kept the Lady Warriors winless with a 0-7 slate.
Miner dropped a team-best 23 points off 20 attacks and 3 blocks, while De Guzman and Pacia both recorded triple-doubles for the injury-plagued Blue Eagles, who recently lost spiker Sobe Buena due to ACL and MCL tears in her right knee. De Guzman put together 17 points, 13 excellent digs, and 14 excellent receptions, while Pacia stepped up big with 17 points, 14 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions.“From this point on, the most important thing is that they continue to play on a high level all the time.
.. I’m so proud because they understand that they have to push through [despite the injuries],” said Ateneo head coach Sergio Veloso as the Blue Eagles also continued to play without injured players JLo delos Santos and Zel Tsunashima.
With the Blue Eagles already at match point, 14-8, the Lady Warriors went on a furious 5-0 run late in the fifth set to get back in the game, 14-13. Luckily for Ateneo, De Guzman put an end to UE’s fightback, sealing the win with a crosscourt hit as the Blue Eagles avoided a major collapse. Van Bangayan — who spearheaded UE’s late-game run — paced the Lady Warriors anew in the losing cause with a game-high 24 points.
– Rappler.com.
