Injury-hit Ateneo Blue Eagles nabbed a surprising sweep over the UP Fighting Maroons for their first win in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles barged into the win column in UAAP Season 87 after a surprising sweep win over the erstwhile-unbeaten UP Fighting Maroons in their first round encounter, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday.
The Blue Eagles took their first win in their third try, thanks to a big game from Sobe Buena.
Buena, who provided the game-sealing cross court hit in the third set, finished with 17 points to pace Ateneo in the victory.
Ateneo pulled the rug from under UP with an optimistic start to the game when Fighting Maroons coach Benson Bocboc overhauled his starting lineup.
Midway through the first set, Ateneo was firmly in the driver’s seat with a 21-16 lead after a Lyann De Guzman score. She finished with 14 points.
Despite UP taking control in set 2 with a 16-10 lead at the second technical timeout, Buena and De Guzman, with a little bit of help from AC Miner, willed the Blue Eagles to the comeback to claim the 2-0 advantage.
With the match firmly in their hands, Ateneo cruised in the third set when the Blue Eagles seized a 16-8 lead midway through the canto.
The lead proved insurmountable for the Fighting Maroons who now fall to a 2-1 slate. Ateneo, for its part, is on the board at 1-2.
Irah Jaboneta led UP in the losing effort with 11 points and 10 excellent receptions.