By Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBNnews.com
Ateneo's Alyssa Valdez (2) celebrates with Denden Lazaro after scoring against La Salle. Photo by Mark Cristino for ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – Showing little effect from a long lay-off, defending champion Ateneo de Manila University dominated rival De La Salle University in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 77 women's volleyball Finals Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum and moved to within one win of securing their second consecutive championship.
The Lady Eagles, who last played on February 18, shook off a slow start in the opening set and blanked the Lady Spikers, 25-18, 25-19, and 25-19, in just one hour and 20 minutes.
Team captain Alyssa Valdez scored a game-high 25 points, and La Salle sorely missed the services of injured skipper Ara Galang as they managed to score only 29 points on their attacks and had shaky floor defense.
La Salle took an 8-7 lead in the first set after an attack by Ateneo veteran Ella de Jesus went wide, but the Lady Eagles racked up six consecutive points after the first technical timeout to take complete control of the game.
The second set followed the same script, with La Salle keeping it close in the early stages only for Ateneo to pull away midway through the frame. Valdez played a big role in the run, as the Lady Spikers were unable to correctly read her backrow attacks and drop shots.
"Lagi naman kami nire-remind ni Coach Tai (Bundit) na magkaroon ng team work," said Valdez after the game. "Maganda rin kasi 'yung distribution ni (setter) Jia (Morado) ng bola. Kaya ako nakaka-point kasi nababantayan 'yung gitna and utility. Minsan, isa lang 'yung blocker, so may chance ako maka-score."
The Lady Spikers played better in the third set thanks in part to rookie Christine Soyud, who gave them a big lift offensively. La Salle was only down by two, 18-20, in the third set when Valdez hammered home a spike from the back row, touching off a 3-0 run that allowed them to gain separation.
"'Yung game plan naman ni Coach Tai is maglaro ng happy and as one. Maganda rin naman 'yung naging result, so we're really happy," said Valdez.
The Lady Eagles have now won 15 straight games, the longest winning streak in a season for women's volleyball. They have a 17-game winning streak stretching back to the Season 76 Finals.
Ateneo now needs to win just one more game to claim a second straight women's volleyball title. Game 2 of the Finals is on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
