Ateneo is back in the UAAP women’s volleyball finals

“WE ARE BACK IN THE FINALS!!!” (Photo: @ateneo.volleyball/Instagram)

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles have booked their ticket to the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 women’s volleyball finals after conquering the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in a four-set game for the Final 4 showdown last Wednesday, May 8 at the Flying V Filoil Arena in San Juan.

Kat Tolentino bagged Player of the Game with 19 points from 17 kills, followed by teammates Maddie Madayag and Ponggay Gaston who chipped 12 points each. Bea de Leon had nine points as skipper, contributing four kill blocks. For FEU, it was graduating senior Jerrili Malabanan who led the way at 18 points, followed by Heather Guino-o’s 12 kills.

Jeanette Villareal chipped 11 points for the Lady Tams, while libero Buding Duremdes did not disappoint with 31 digs and 11 excellent receptions.

But unfortunately, their entry into the Finals deemed difficult after Ateneo converted 36 of their errors into points.

Celebrating their return to the finals after a one-year hiatus, the Lady Eagles’ head coach Oliver Almadro remarked, “It’s harder for the women’s division to enter the finals. But, they’re here, because they really wanted to get this far.” Tolentino added, “We haven’t changed our system. Coach Oliver always said to trust in God, and I can see that in all the players’ eyes.”

The Filipino-Canadian, who scored the match-winner, elaborated, “I could see the trust of the players in each other. That’s what got us through in the close second and third set,” referring to the set scores that were 21-25 and 25-23 respectively. During the post-game interview, De Leon concludes, “We’re thankful that we got this one.”

This is the Lady Eagles’ seventh championship appearance in the last eight years. They are set to face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tigresses for the best-of-three finals series starting Saturday, May 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.