UAAP women's volleyball: Ateneo, DLSU boost bids for semis edge

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo bounced back from its humiliating three-set sweep and second defeat in this tourney to La Salle with a three-set sweep of their own of downtrodden Adamson (25-16, 28-26, 25-17).

La Salle, on the other hand, also disposed of the University of the East in three sets (25-17, 25-16, 25-19). 

Ateneo climbed to 11-2, with UE their last elimination round assignment, while La Salle hiked their win total to 10-3, with FEU their last game of the second round.

Both games saw La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus and Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro make use of their bench. La Salle left three players on the bench; Ateneo, two.

Both teams got good games from a lot of players, but it was Ateneo that struggled some with a tough outing in the second set against Adamson.

Since their loss to UP to open the second round, La Salle has been on a roll, winning five consecutive matches. They got back at UST for dealing a first round loss and convincingly defeated Ateneo a second time to continue their mastery of their rival. 

They have dealt with their early season problems and are peaking at the right time both physically and mentally. For sure, Coach Ramil thinks his team could have done better against UE, and I like that cutthroat mentality. It has served them well. 

Ateneo, on the other hand, well, there are two ways to look at the three set win over Adamson.

One, they needed this to get their shaken confidence going. But the near meltdown in the second set shows they aren’t as well-oiled as fans of their like them to be. There are questions about sudden lapses that see them give up points in bunches. 

Two, is this is good that they aren’t overconfident and they need games like this to constantly remind them of their vulnerabilities.

And really, what has Adamson to lose? This is a team that has largely unfulfilled its promise and potential. Eli Soyud represents the tough times of this team in more ways than one. Two seasons ago, in the preseason, it looked more and more like she was such a massive pick up from La Salle where she was on the bench. But as UP — and previous NU teams know all too well — the preseason is nothing but the preseason. Different pressure. Different expectations. Different mindsets. She has underperformed when needed. Two points against Ateneo? 

But these Lady Falcons will be good. They just need to add more pieces especially in the middle. Trisha Mae Genesis will really be good. 

Still, it would behoove them to chalk up a win in their final game and that will be against the hard-luck UP squad.