Streaking Ateneo meets UE

By Josiah Albelda Posted Dec 18th 2013

Ateneo de Manila University eyes a share of second place when it battles winless University of the East in the 76th UAAP women's volleyball tournament Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

After a sordid opening-day performance, the Lady Eagles have bounced back strongly, getting into their groove and winning two straight games to return to contention.

With Alyssa Valdez continuing her stellar scoring performances and Amy Ahomiro proving to be a reliable second option, Ateneo swept both Far Eastern University and Adamson University in straight sets.

They now face the Lady Warriors, who have lost 20 straight in the UAAP dating back to Season 74.

Rookie Julia Morado has been a revelation for the Lady Eagles, leading the league with 24 excellent sets per game as she orchestrates Ateneo's third-ranked attack.

The former Palarong Pambansa Best Setter and her spikers will have a field day anew against UE, who is dead last in blocking and digging with per-game averages of just 2.3 and 15.7, respectively.

Valdez, Ahomiro and rookies Ana Gopico and Michelle Morente will lead Ateneo's attack while Lady Warriors freshman Shaya Adorador hopes to finally get help as they attempt to get out of the slump and pull off a huge upset.

The game will air live over Studio 23, BALLS HD 167 and uaapsports.tv with a same day replay at 9 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34 or Destiny Cable channel 36.