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Ateneo swoops down on UST to claim UAAP 81 women’s volleyball title
After a year of absence from the Finals stage, the Ateneo Lady Eagles are back as queens of UAAP volleyball.
The Katipunan-based squad edged out the UST Golden Tigresses in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the best-of-three Finals, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22, Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ateneo had the upper hand at the third set, leading as much as four, 19-15, midway in the deciding set. However, UST kept Ateneo close, even tying the game at 22-all after a Rondina score. From then, Maddie Madayag made two points, and an off-the-block play by Jules Samonte sealed the deal for the Lady Eagles, 25-22.
Championship point. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/vGz9kbrwsK
— GMA News Sports (@gmanews_sports) May 18, 2019
UST had a commanding run in the second set, and at one point had widened the gap against Ateneo 16-12, heading into the second technical timeout. However, a Madayag off-the-block score sparked a run for the Lady Eagles, eventually grabbing the lead from the black-and-gold squad, 17-16.
Both teams were tied at 20-20 in the second frame, but two service aces from Deanna Wong and a block from Ateneo stopped UST's momentum, eventually taking the set away, 25-22.It was total domination for Ateneo in the first set as the blue shirts had a nine-point lead, 23-14, late in the first set, before closing it out, 25-17.
Bea de Leon was named Finals MVP.
"I'm just so grateful. It was all him (Coach Oliver Almadro). The whole time, coach just told us to trust the team and trust each other and that's really a big big factor anchoring ourselves to him. We really just surrendered everything. It's the best feeling and I couldn't be more grateful," De Leon said.
For graduating libero Kim Gequillana, the whole experience leading to the crown was worth it. "It's like the whole experience talaga na. It's all about the hardwork that we had accomplished and the ups and downs that we had. With Coach O, he reminded us na kaya namin gawin and it all boils down to the trust that he has to us and our trust within ourselves," libero Kim Gequillana added.
Almadro also received praises from Kat Tolentino. "As they said, it's just such a blessing not just won the championship but the whole season. It took a lot of ups and downs and I think the team only became stronger with that," Tolentino said. "Coach O guiding us is what brought us to this point. We couldn't be more thankful for everything and that we're champions," she added.
For Madayag, the championship was a gift from God and she couldn't be more thankful."I was speechless kasi everything is from God. Everything we do, we offer to him, and of course I'm thankful to my teammates for all the hardwork and sacrifices we made. I'm very happy, thank you talaga kay Lord na nag-champion kami," Madayag said.
The championship is Coach Oliver Almadro's first in the women's division, after transferring from Ateneo's men's team, which he had a three-peat run back in 2015-2017. For him, the title is destined for them.
"It's not how you start. it's how you end," Almadro said in the post-game press conference. "We lost the first match of the season. Many people counted us out but we made it," he added. Ateneo lost to Season 80 champs DLSU Lady Spikers in their first game of the season.
"It's because of our faith and courage. Yes, we will work hard, we will not be the perfect players, I will not be the perfect coach, but we work as a team, we work as a family. That's what's important," he added.
"Sabi ko sa kanila when we lost the first game, it's not important, what's important is the last season. Indeed, it's the last game of the season. It's written. The Lord has plans, we really have to believe in his plans. The lord fulfils his promise," Almadro said.
Graduating as champions are captain Maddie Madayag, who was also awarded 2nd best middle blocker, Bea de Leon, and Kim Gequillana. Kat Tolentino, meanwhile, said she is yet to decide whethere she will play her final year.
Tolentino topped the Eagles in scoring with 15 points, 11 of which came from attacks.
For UST, league MVP Sisi Rondina's 18 point-performance was short for a shot of the title.
This is Ateneo's third women's volleyball title, since winning it first in 2014.
Graduating as champions are captain Maddie Madayag, who was also awarded 2nd best middle blocker, season best opposite hitter Kat Tolentino, Bea de Leon, and Kim Gequillana.
This is Ateneo's third women's volleyball title, since winning it first in 2014.
READ: Bea de Leon ends collegiate career as champion, finals MVP
READ: Sisi Rondina grateful to UST as she ends her collegiate career
READ: The Ravenas count their blessings and their UAAP rings
— MDM/LDF, GMA News
