Lady Eagles blast Archers, force beach volley rubber

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo finally emerged victorious over De La Salle, 21-16, 24-22, to extend their UAAP Season 78 women’s beach volleyball semifinals duel to a decider late Saturday at the Sands SM By The Bay.

On their third try, Alyssa Valdez and Bea Tan finally defeated Kim Fajardo and Cyd Demecillo as the third-ranked Lady Eagles played with a lot of urgency to frustrate the twice-to-beat Lady Spikers.

Only the elusive beach volleyball title is what Valdez is missing on her vast collegiate trophy collection.

Weather-permitting, Ateneo and La Salle cross paths for the final time in the do-or-die match at 8 a.m. today, with the winner facing Far Eastern University’s Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza in the best-of-three championship later in the day.

The Lady Eagles are gunning for their first Finals appearance since 2011, while the Lady Spikers are eyeing their second consecutive title round stint.

University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, dethroned National University after beating the reigning three-time champions twice in the rain-delayed step-ladder semifinals to force a Finals duel with thrice-to-beat Ateneo.