Martin San Diego | FCF
Last season’s runner-up Ateneo de Manila University eliminates the gritty Adamson University IX in straight sets, 26-24, 25-23, 25-21, to move on to the semi-final phase of the UAAP Season 76 women’s volleyball tournament step-ladder on Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Backed by the impressive play of tournament leading scorer Alyssa Valdez, the third-seeded Lady Eagles will face second-seeded National University with a twice-to-beat disadvantage on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., also at The Arena.
Valdez led their cause with 19 points, 13 of which coming from attacks with three aces and three blocks. Libero Dennise Lazaro complemented Valdez’s offense with superb floor defense, tallying 14 digs and 12 excellent receptions, while Ella De Jesus had an all-around game with 11 points, seven digs, and three receptions.
“Pinag-ensayuhan talaga namin ‘yung Adamson ng maigi, lalo na ‘yung [si Sheila] Pineda nalimitahan namin [ng] konti. Napagaralan namin [sila] ng maigi,” said Ateneo’s lead assistant coach Parley Tupas.
The graduating Pineda led Adamson’s cause with an all-around performance of 12 points with 10 coming from attacks, together with 10 digs and five receptions.
Martin San Diego | FCF
In the men’s Final Four earlier, the Blue Eagles set the tone for the double victory by mounting an epic comeback over perennial finalist Far Eastern University (FEU) in five sets, 23-25, 19-25, 25-17, 28-26, 15-13, to make their first finals appearance in 34 years.
The Ateneo men last entered the championship round during 1980 (Season 43), where they were beaten by Katipunan Avenue neighbor University of the Philippines. The win also stopped FEU’s dreams of making a sixth Finals appearance in the last seven seasons, last gaining the plum during Season 74 in 2012.
