THERE is no stopping for Ateneo in making a return stint in the ‘Final Four’.
The Lady Eagles moved closer in bagging a semifinals seat by ousting University of the Philippines, 25-17, 25-14, 25-21, yesterday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
In the other game, Angeli Tabaquero scored 23 points as University of Santo Tomas moved a win away in bagging the semifinals bonus with a 27-25, 25-12, 25-14 trashing of National University.
The Tigresses bucked the loss of rookie Dindin Santiago in the first set to extend their unbeaten 2010 run to seven games.
UST notched its 10th win in 12 matches to keep within distance of 11-0 La Salle.
Ateneo improved to 8-4 mark to break away from a tie with idle Adamson in third spot.
Dzi Gervacio had another scintillating performance, scoring 16 hits while Bea Pascual had a career-high tying 15 points for the Lady Eagles.
A win against also-ran University of the East on Saturday will make way for Ateneo to clinch its second ‘Final Four’ berth in three years and seal its best-ever winning season since joining the league in 1978.
Pascual equaled her 15 hits she did in the Lady Eagles’ second round win against the Lady Bulldogs in her rookie season in 2006-07.
Fille Cainglet and Gretchen Ho chipped in 10 and six hits, respectively, for Ateneo.
With a rookie-laden squad last season, the Lady Eagles ended up in fifth spot, a year after the Katipunan-based spikers achieved a breakthrough ‘Final Four’ appearance starring Charo Soriano.
“Bumabalik na ang dating laro ng mga bata sa first round kung saan may 5-2 record kami. Pipilitin naming manalo sa huling tatlong laro upang makuha namin ang No. 3 seed sa Final Four,” said Ateneo mentor Roger Gorayeb.
The Lady Eagles, obviously, hopes to avoid a semifinals collision against the Lady Archers, who are on track for a 14-game sweep of the eliminations.
Carmela Lopez and Cathy Barcelon finished with 10 and nine hits, respectively, for the Lady Maroons, who joined the Lady Warriors and the Lady Bulldogs from the sidelines.
With its eighth loss in 12 matches, UP formally bowed out of the playoff race.
In the men’s division. Chris Macasaet and John Kevin dela Pena had 14 points apiece as the Green Archers seized solo third at 7-5 with a 25-23, 25-19, 25-23 victory over the Fighting Maroons.
JR Intal and AJ Pareja scattered 16 points apiece as Ateneo joined UP in fourth place with 6-6 record with a 31-29, 25-22, 25-18 triumph over UE. (TJ)
