ATENEO sealed the No.1 spot in the UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four with a 25-20, 27-25, 25-11 victory over University of the East on Sunday at the Arena in San Juan.
Kat Tolentino once again showed the way for the Lady Eagles, scoring 11 points off eight kills, two blocks and an ace.
The Lady Eagles finished with best record of 12-2 and will take on last year’s semifinal rival Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, this time Ateneo holding a twice-to-beat advantage.
UE finished the season with a 3-11 record as Kath Arado, Judith Abil, Lai Bendong, Roselle Baliton, Jasmine Alcayde and Jana Sta. Maria played their last UAAP match.
Maddie Madayag scored 10, Ponggay Gaston added nine points, while Bea de Leon and Jules Samonte added eight markers each.
“Siyempre ito na yung simula ng totoong labanan, real UAAP, yung playoffs,” Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro said.
“Ito na nandito na sa Final Four, yun muna importante, yung chance. Now in the Final Four, meron kaming chance in the finals. Yung mindset namin is to be back in the finals.”
Almadro praised UE for putting up a strong fight led by Mean Mendrez, who scored 13, and Abil, who had 11 points.
Outgoing libero Arado had 28 digs and 13 excellent receptions.
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