Games Saturday (Filoil Flying V Arena)

10 a.m. - FEU vs UST (men finals)
1:30 p.m. - Awarding Ceremonies
2 p.m. - ADMU vs DLSU (women finals)


ATENEO has finally found its winning formula to shatter La Salle’s invincibility.

The Lady Eagles shocked the defending champion Lady Archers, 23-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-17, and seized the finals opener of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Playing without pressure despite being a first-time finalist, Ateneo used its impressive blocking and reception to end a nine-game losing skid to La Salle.

Before the match, the Lady Eagles last won over the Lady Archers, 27-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-16, in the first round on Dec. 16, 2007.

It was the first victory by Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb and the ‘Fab 5’ of Fille Cainglet, Jem Ferrer, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho and A Nacachi against La Salle since the 2008-09 season.

“Masaya ako at nasunod yung na-plano namin.  Dahil sa maganda ang reception, nakaka-atake kami,” said Gorayeb.

Unlike in their five-set loss which gave the Lady Archers the outright championship berth and the ‘thrice-to-beat’ advantage last Feb. 12, the Lady Eagles did not fold up in the fourth frame.

An attacking error by rookie Ara Galang allowed Ateneo to pull away, 16-7, when Abigail Maraño led La Salle’s rally to move closer to 12-16.

But instead of crumbling under pressure, the Lady Eagles showed poise down the stretch, as Alyssa Valdez, Cainglet and Gervacio turned the heat with their timely hits to win Game 1.

Valdez finished with 24 hits, including four service aces, while Cainglet added 19 hits, including three blocks, and 15 digs for Ateneo.

Maraño paced the Lady Archers with 17 hits, including three service aces, while Galang and Michelle Gumabao added 14 points.

“Naubusan na ng diskarte yung setter (Mika Esperanza) namin dahil basic na lang yung ginagawa niya.  Disorganized din yung blocking nila,” said La Salle mentor Ramil de Jesus.

Game 2 is set on Saturday, with the Lady Eagles still needing to beat the Lady Archers twice to win their first ever title.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University dashed La Salle’s hopes for a shot at a double championship with a 23-25, 25-19, 25-20, 26-24 in their semifinals decider to arrange a meeting with reigning five-time champion University of Santo Tomas in the best-of-three championship.

The finals opener between the Tamaraws and the Growling Tigers, who have a combined 43 crowns, is set on Saturday.

JR Labrador finished with 20 points and seven digs, while Kirk Beliran added 17 hits for FEU.

John Kevin dela Vega had 15 hits, while Myco Antonio added 12 hits for the Green Archers.