The Ateneo Blue Eagles clawed back in the fourth set to take care of business, snapping a four-game losing skid to end their UAAP Season 87 campaign.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles completed a four-set victory against the UE Lady Warriors as they sent the latter reeling to a winless campaign in UAAP Season 87, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Ateneo, who finished the year with a 5-9 slate, handed the Lady Warriors the loss after fighting back from a 16-22 deficit in the fourth as UE threatened to force a deciding set.
UE was also at set point, 24-21, after a crucial service error on the side of Ateneo.
But the Blue Eagles stayed steadfast as they rode a 6-1 run finishing kick, capped by an antenna error by UE to take the win.
Rookie hitter Jihan Chuatico paced the big win to end the season with 16 points. Lyann De Guzman finished with a triple-double of 13 points, 18 excellent digs, and 17 excellent receptions.
Fellow veteran AC Miner added 13 points, while Alexia Montoro also had 11 points in the all-around win for Ateneo.
Meanwhile, UE, who join their men’s team as winless squads in UAAP Season 87 at 0-14, finished with four players in double digit scoring.
Van Bangayan top scored with 16 markers in the losing effort, while Khy Cepada had 14 for the Lady Warriors.
Despite the loss, UE showed flashes of brilliance in the match, including a comeback try in set 1 where the Recto-based squad were within one, 21-22, after trailing by as many as seven.
However, Chuatico stepped up to the plate with three straight points to give momentum to Ateneo at the opener.