UNIVERSITY of the East (UE) drew strength from Mean Mendrez to conquer National University, 25-16, 25-18, 24-26, 25-16, in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 81 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
The Lady Warriors finally bagged their second win in eight attempts and tie the Lady Bulldogs at sixth place.
Mendrez paced UE with 19 points built on 18 attacks and an ace as the team started the second round on a good note and could still vie for the playoffs after years of dismal outing.
“For us, if we would not be able to earn a spot in the Final Four, at least we can improve our rank,” UE Head Coach Karl Dimaculangan said.
Judith Abil also has solid contributions of 13 points, 29 digs and 21 receptions. Seth Marione Rodriguez added 12 points for the Lady Warriors.
Lai Bendong facilitated the offense with 38 excellent sets and had seven points.
“It’s the start of the second round so we want to be confident. Our coach told us to pour all our efforts and show the fruits of our training,” graduating player Abil said.
After a tight start of the opening set, UE erected a 16-9 lead off three straight aces from Bendong.
Bendong continued her magic as her ace put the team to a 16-8 lead en route to a commanding 2-0 lead.
NU fought back in the third set, but UE owned the momentum and went on to bag the fourth frame.
Princess Robles led NU with 13 points, while Ivy Lacsina and Roselyn Doria added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Ateneo, meanwhile, forged a baseball finals duel with De La Salle following a 11-10 victory over University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Rodrigo Bitong and Kiko Andaya delivered the goods in the final two innings to erase the Growling Tigers’ 10-8 lead and complete the Blue Eagles’ come-from-behind win.
After missing the bus last year, Ateneo is back in the championship.
The last time the two fiercest rivals met for the crown was in 2016, where the Green Batters ended a 13-year title drought via a 2-0 Finals sweep of the Eagles.
De La Salle became the elimination round topnotcher at 8-2 and completed a sweep of the second round with a 21-9 dismantling of University of the Philippines.
Ateneo finished second with a 7-3 card.
The best-of-three championship between the Green Batters and the Eagles will start on March 29.
In softball, National University and University of the Philippines will dispute the remaining Final Four berth at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the same Malate venue. The winner of the knockout match will face reigning eight-time champion Adamson University in the semifinals starting on Saturday.
The other semis pairing pits No. 2 De La Salle and No. 3 UST. The Lady Falcons and the Lady Batters earn twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four after finishing 1-2 in the double-round eliminations.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza