ATENEO completed a comeback in the UAAP women’s volleyball finals, ripping University of Sto. Tomas, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22, on Saturday at the MOA Arena.
The Lady Eagles, who evened the series with a four-set win after dropping the opener last week, claimed their third title and first since 2015.
Maddie Madayag and Bea de Leon, rookies when the Alyssa Valdez-led Lady Eagles completed the back-to-back championships in 2015, fulfilled their promise to deliver the school’s third title overall before they leave.
Graduating middle blocker Madayag delivered the killer blows with back-to-back clutch drop balls to put Ateneo at championship point before Jules Samonte nailed the title-clinching off the block hit.
Kat Tolentino had 15 points coming from 11 attacks for Ateneo. She averaged 12.7 points in the series.
Madayag nailed six kills and four blocks for 10 points.
De Leon was named Finals MVP after scoring six points in the decider and posting an average of 7.7 points in the series.
Deanna Wong had 16 excellent sets on top of 12 digs and four points. Jules Samonte had six points and 10 excellent receptions, while libero Dani Ravena had 13 digs and seven excellent receptions.
The Tigresses, who were looking to end a nine-year championship drought, committed 29 errors in the decider.
Sisi Rondina played her final match for UST, scoring 18 points off 17 kills while making 11 digs and seven excellent receptions.
Eya Laure, who sprained her left ankle in the second match on Wednesday, scored 10 points.
Libero Rica Rivera also bid goodbye to UST after five seasons.
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