Ateneo Lady Eagles recover, stop FEU’s winning streak

Ateneo started its second round campaign on a high note as it stopped Far Eastern University in its tracks, 25-19, 25-21, 25-17, in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Lady Eagles recovered from their four-set loss to De La Salle at the end of the first round and have won five of their last six games to hike their record to 5-3, the same record as the Lady Tamaraws.

Ateneo was firmly in control of the Lady Tamaraws in the third set holding fort throughout the majority of the match.

After an 18-14 lead, the Lady Eagles allowed just three more points on the side of the Lady Tamaraws with Jhoanna Maraguinot eventually finishing off FEU with two straight kills.

Captain Maddie Madayag said their win over FEU was a big morale-booster for them after they saw their then four-game winning streak get snapped at the hands of the Lady Spikers.

“This is really a big plus to our confidence and our training really paid off because we showed how we really play,” said Madayag in Filipino. “We just wanted to do what we normally do in training and this game really boosted our confidence.”

It also helped that head coach Tai Bundit was back with the team after he went to Thailand the previous week and that Ponggay Gaston was inserted as one of the team’s libero beside Ria Lo.

“Ponggay as a libero was a big factor because she has those strong arms and she can receive well,” said Madayag. “And coach Tai lifts your spirits up because you can see him cheering you on.”

Maraguinot paced Ateneo’s offense with 15 points while Kat Tolentino added 11.

Toni Rose Basas led FEU’s charge with 10 points as Bernadeth Pons, the fourth-leading scorer of the tournament with 16 points a game, got limited to a season-low five points.