Defending Champions Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles faced an inspired University of the East Red Warriors before prevailing 80 - 73 to end the first round of eliminations of the ongoing UAAP Season 73 Senior's Mens basketball tournament.
Boosted by their first win, the UE Red Warriors kept the Defending champion in check even leading at the end of 3 quarters before succumbing to a superior ADMU line up in the end game.
With the likes of Acibar, Razon and Resopa contributing, apart from the expected production of Paul Lee, James Martinez & Raffy Reyes, the Red Warriors almost upset the three-peat seeking Eagles.
Eric Salamat opened the fourth quarter with two treys, before Monfort's own triple gave the lead to Ateneo 66 - 65.
The downfall of UE started when Sam Razon, playing the best game of his career yet as a Warrior, fouled out before giving UE its last taste of the lead after an end one play, 69 - 66.
With Paul Lee the only option, the Eagles just clamped on the main Red warrior and outscored UE, 14 - 4 the rest of the way to win the rematch of last year's finals. Eric Salamat paced the Eagles with 23 points
The win gave ADMU a 5 - 2 win-loss card to finish the first round tied in second place with Adamson University who earlier defeated DLSU.
With the loss, UE's hope of reaching Final Four grew slimmer. They would need at least 6 wins in the second round to even have a chance at the last final four seat. But they could draw motivation from this game that they almost upset the defending champions.
In four pressure-packed sets, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers fought everything the defending champions FEU Lady Spikers have to offer prevailing in the end as graduating Team Captain Manilla Santos led them to the UAAP 71 Womens Volleyball Crown.
A packed The Arena in San Juan played host to the sudden death Game 3 of the UAAP Women's Volleyball Finals.
DLSU showed early of the things to come with a 25 - 19 first set win.
FEU, champions as they are, battled right back in the second set. Injured Shaira Gonzales inspired the Lady Tamaraws at the start and raced to a 12 - 7 lead. Jack Alarca and Stephanie Mercado tried to fight back but Mica Morada pushed FEU on top. Setter April Jose finished off the set with one of her wicked and deceiving dumps, 25 - 18.
Set 3 started close but Lady Spikers started to distance themselves agains the Lady Tamarraws at 14 - 10 after blocking FEU star Rachel Daquis. FEU inched closer 14 - 15 after a misreception of DLSU. But the Lady Spikers rattled the next five points, 20 - 14. But FEU is far from conceding the set away, threatening last 21 - 23 on Morada's beuatifully executed kill. Daquis then sends the ball outside and Cruz finishes of the set with kill, 25 - 21. DLSU up 2 sets to 1
Now, the pressure mounts. After another close start on Set 4, DLSU erected a 12 - 8 lead. but FEU was able to tie things up at 16 all. Alarca restores the lead back to DLSU 18 - 16. Gonzales helps FEU side, tying again at 19 - all.
DLSU denies Daquis and FEU at the net three consecutive times to go ahead 20 - 19. Team captain Manilla Santos scores 3 crucial points to help DLSU reach championship point. And as Vivas sent the ball wide, DLSU celebrated on the floor.
Manilla Santos, on her last year cried over jubilant Coach Ramil, and was judged the MVP of the Season.
FEU, denied of an unprecedented 30th Women's volleyball crown, settled for the first runner up.
Rachel Daquis of FEU is arguably the star of UAAP volleyball, receiving applause every so often or even just serving and receiving her runner up medal. Too bad she will be graduating.
Oh, before I forgot, there is still Shaira Gonzales to look forward next year. ;)
It is really a good thing that volleyball especially the womens, is gaining some popularity. Kudos to ABS CBN sports for bringing women's volleyball on TV.
