Ateneo beats La Salle in Game 1

It’s been a while since La Salle last lost a game in the UAAP women’s volleyball. Sadly, it had to this one.

Behind a game-high 24 points from rookie Alyssa Valdez and 19 from Fille Cainglet, the Ateneo Lady Eagles pulled off a shocking upset win of the Lady Spikers 23-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-17 in the opening match of the Season 74 finals.

Ateneo not only ended their almost 5-year losing streak to La Salle, they also gave the Lady Spikers their first “real” defeat since 2010. La Salle had one win reversed last season by a technicality but the last time they lost on the court was in game 2 of the Season 72 finals against UST

In the first three sets of the match, La Salle led for the most part but Ateneo would always stage a rally towards the end. The Lady Spikers were lucky to escape the first set despite blowing a 23-17 lead. It was all Ateneo come the fourth set as they made sure that there won’t be another La Salle comeback similar to their last elimination round match.

The stellar performance of the Lady Eagles today must have sucked the life out of the team. The team’s energy and swagger that they have shown all season was clearly missing in this game.

Abigail Marano top scored for the Lady Spikers with 17 points while Michele Gumabao and rookie Victonara Galang added 14 apiece.

The series is now reduced to a best-of-three affair. Game 2 will be played this Saturday.