Ateneo closes in on UAAP title after trouncing La Salle

By Josh Castro

QUEZON CITY--Ateneo showed its brilliance despite a long rest to take a 25-18, 25-19, 25-19 win against La Salle in Game 1 of the UAAP women's volleyball finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

With their opponents a woman down with the knee injury to Ara Galang, the Lady Eagles relied on their fluid attacks to quickly take the first two sets.

Eli Soyud tried to make things interesting as she led the Lady Spikers' charge in the third set to force a 13-all tie.

But Ateneo regrouped in time to complete the straight-set victory as Soyud lost steam in the end. Also hampering to La Salle's cause was the late knee injury to Camille Cruz.

Alyssa Valdez led the Lady Eagles with 25 points on22 spikes, two blocks, and an ace.