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Crowd goes wild as ateneo overpowered la salle

Valdez leads ateneo to force a do-or-die match against la salle in uaap’78 womens volleyball

Excitement, happiness, tension  are the expressions in the whole volleyball community showcase in the araneta coliseum, pasay city as the two giants in uaap womens volleyball meet each other.

                Down for two sets the lady eagles able to respond and come back very big to defeat their rival la salle in a five-setter game to force a deciding match on Saturday april 30, 2016.

                As the game tip off, the crowd is already on their feet and so energetic as the players of both teams were introduced.

                La salle draw first blood as they get the first set convincingly, 25-18 and it was ara galang who delivered the first point of the match.

An epic set follows as both teams show why they are the top two teams in uaap womens volleyball.

Ateneo fought in the second set by establishing an early 5-point lead but la salle managed to equalize along the end of the set.

Series of deadlocks happened one team reaches set point then in a spilt second other team had it but kim dy seals the set and proves how strong and determined la salle is as they inch    2 sets to none.

In the third set, Ateneo hold on to their mantra of heartstrong that made them won two championships in a row, strong and tight floor defense, good first ball, fast plays in the middle of last year finals mvp, amy ahomiro  and  with the heroic act of the 3-time mvp alyssa valdez they were able to shut down la salle, 17-25.

Confidence is back to the ateneo side and alyssa is still unstoppable who just gave her best and carries the ateneo team till the end with the help of amy ahomiro, bea de leon, jho marguinot and the rest of the lady eagles to force a deciding fifth set, 22-25.

With both crowds roaring, everyone is praying for the players for the teams and all nerves are on everyone the deciding set has come.

You can see on the players face the eagerness to win but it was ateneo who come in the finish line first, 11-15 and the crowd go crazy with teary eyes.

Alyssa Valdez with 34 points 32 attacks, 1 block and 1 serve is best player of the game who delivers most of the points when ateneo need it the most.

La Salle fought hard through Fajardo (best setter), baron (best blocker), macandili (best receiver and best digger) and seasoned players mika reyes and ara galang but ateneo manage to cope with their defense and offense on time.

With four players in double digits, valdez, maraguinot, de leon and ahomiro  ateneo forces a do-or-die game against la salle.

Atenians celebrate while Lasallian is seeking for revenge but for all the volleyball fans all over the world the battle is not yet over.