Ateneo holds off NU, reaches final vs thrice-to-beat La Salle

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo completed a dramatic domination of National University, beating the No. 2 seeds, 25-22, 8-25, 25-19, 25-22, in their second confrontation in the stepladder semifinals yesterday to arrange a third consecutive championship showdown with archrival De La Salle for the UAAP women’s volleyball crown.

The Lady Eagles and the four-peat-seeking Lady Spikers square off at 4 p.m. on Wednesday also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the Taft-based belles enjoying a twice-to-win, thrice-to-beat advantage for sweeping the 14-game eliminations.

In men’s action in Season 76 volleyball also at the Big Dome yesterday, NU beat Ateneo, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22, in Game One of their best-of-three championship series.

The Bulldogs, led by the balanced scoring of the quartet of Edwin Tolentino, Jan Berlin Paglinawan, team captain Ruben Inaudito and Season 75 finals MVP Peter Den Mar Torres, neutralized the Ateneo offense centered on Marck Espejo to zero in on their second consecutive men’s title.

The Bulldogs shoot for the crown at 2 p.m. also on Wednesday at the Big Dome.

There was no denying that the Lady Eagles played with the bigger heart as the losing finalists in the last three seasons employed practically the same strategy they used in frustrating the twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs last Wednesday, 25-17, 12-25, 31-29, 28-26.

Ella De Jesus had an all-around performance of 12 points, seven digs and 10 receptions for Ateneo, while Alyssa Valdez, who played with a sprained left ankle starting in the third set, had a team-high 22 points on 16 attacks and five blocks. Michelle Morente and Amy Ahomiro contributed nine points each for the Lady Eagles.

Dindin Santiago finished with 19 points for NU, but spoiled her last season in the league with a looping serve that went way beyond the baseline, sending the Lady Eagles to a triple match point. Her younger sister Jaja compiled 14 points.