Rare 16-0 streak, double title: Lady Eagles savor sweet sweep

MANILA, Philippines - A perfect flight to history.

The Ateneo Lady Eagles soared to great heights as they nipped La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-22, 25-17, 25-23, to cop the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball crown via an unprecedented 16-0 overall card before a packed Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.

Poised to extend their reign and post the longest winning streak for a champion team in a season in women’s volley, the high-flying Lady Eagles methodically dismantled the hard-fighting Lady Spikers with well-placed shots and gutsy plays to get the job done.

“First-ever 16-0? Really? Wow!” was all Ateneo skipper Alyssa Valdez could say upon being told of the feat they achieved in the game attended by 20,705 spectators.

Valdez, who topscored with 20, and Finals MVP Amy Ahomiro, who chipped in 10 in the clincher, maintained the spotless record was far from their minds the entire campaign. The Eagles’ 16-game streak surpassed the 14-0 slate that made La Salle belles the automatic champions back in 2004.

“It’s a weird feeling like, being undefeated. But when we never went into games thinking that. We took it one game at a time and the outcome was 16-0,” said Ahomiro.

The Lady Eagles also drew big games from Michelle Morente and Bea de Leon who scattered 10 points apiece and Jia Morado, who not only accounted for 32 excellent sets but also helped in point production with six, including the championship point.

“Everyone played well talaga and even La Salle, they fought really well today,” said Valdez.

The Lady Eagles pulled off their “perfect championship” 364 days since breaking through with a surprising triumph in Season 76.

“Last year, we’re really playing with nothing to lose, we just did our best and it’s more of everything to gain. This year there’s pressure not just from the coaching staff but from ourselves because we wanted to prove that we could do it again,” said Valdez.

“Iba yung sarap nung last year, iba yung sarap this year (It was satisfying last year, it was satisfying this year). But what’s making us happier is the fact we helped one another out, we played as a team and we really enjoyed the game,” she added.

Valdez, Ahomiro and Morente were on the scoring end when Ateneo took a two-set cushion but in the third set, it was setter Morado who shone brightest.

Protecting a slim 23-22 lead, Morado came through with a pair of big-time drop balls sandwiching an Ahomiro service error to seal it for Ateneo.

White confetti rained on the court and tears of joy were shed, especially by graduating libero Denden Lazaro and Ella de Jesus.  Ateneo coach Anusorn Bundit got his victory ride and raised both hands in triumph.

Together with the Blue Eagles’ maiden championship last week, the Ateneo scored the league’s first golden double in volleyball since Santo Tomas’ feat in 2009.

Mary Jay Baron (9) and Mika Reyes (8) led the way for the fallen Lady Spikers, who sorely missed skipper Ara Galang, who was out due to ACL injury, as well as Camille Cruz (ACL).