The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles are still in the running for the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 women’s volleyball championship as they overcame the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tigresses in a four-set game last Wednesday, May 15 during the best-of-three finals held at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay.
The set scores resulted in 26-24,14-25, 25-21, and 25-15 were led by Maddie Madayag who had 17 points with 10 attacks, four blocks, and three service aces. Bea de Leon impressed as well with 13 points, while Kat Tolentino, who was hailed Best Opposite Spiker of the season, chipped 11 points. One of the younger players of the team, Dani Ravena, impressed with 22 digs and 12 excellent receptions, while Ponggay Gaston contributed nine points and 12 digs. Jules Samonte totalled seven points and 16 excellent receptions.
Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sisi Rondina played her part for the Lady Tigresses, who are in search for their first title in the last nine years, performing with 22 points, 16 digs, and eight excellent receptions, while rookie Eya Laure chipped 10 before she was carried out of the court during the beginning of the third set due to an injury in her left ankle.
Being the highest scorer of the game, also hailed as the 2nd Best Middle Blocker of the Season, Madayag shared, “Of course, it really went into our heads that this might be our last game, but we crossed it out of our minds. We were really going to fight, we won’t go down without a fight,” continuing, “Today’s game, we really played our best. We really worked as a team.”
The decider of who will take home the top prize for the season will be happening on Saturday, May 18 at the same venue.