Sobe Buena made a resounding season debut, providing the spark 12-strong Ateneo de Manila University needed to sweep University of the Philippines, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18, and secure its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
After missing Ateneo’s first two games due to a minor injury, Buena returned with a clutch performance, leading the Blue Eagles to a breakthrough win despite the absence of key players Zel Tsunashima and Jlo Delos Santos.
Buena ended the day with 17 points built on 15 attacks, one block, and one ace with six excellent digs and four excellent receptions in the Blue Eagles’ one hour and 29-minute sweep of the Fighting Maroons.
With the victory, Ateneo improved to a 1-2 record, placing seventh in the eight-team league while extending its dominance over UP to 10 consecutive victories—a streak dating back to a Season 81 second-round triumph on March 10, 2019.
Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons suffered their first loss of the season, dropping to second place with a 2-1 record.
“It feels really good to be able to be back on the court because I think not just for us 12 on the court, not just for the coaching staff, but for the Ateneo community and for Zel and JLo. We’re really grateful that we got this win,” Buena said postgame.
Ateneo carried momentum from a come-from-behind second-set victory into the third, racing to an 18-9 lead that proved too much for UP to overcome. The Fighting Maroons managed to cut the deficit to 21-17, but a crosscourt hit from team captain Lyann de Guzman, back-to-back blocks from Buena and AC Miner, and another crosscourt strike from Buena sealed the win.
The Blue Eagles also clawed their way back from a 7-13 deficit in the second set, with Buena—who had been sparingly used in Ateneo’s previous two games—delivering three of the final four points to give her team a commanding two-set lead.
The opening set was a different story, as Ateneo started strong with an 11-6 lead, capped by clutch hits from Yvana Sulit and Miner to set the tone for the match.
“When everybody plays good, the team will be good. I give my congrats to Taks because when all the spikers play good is because the setter plays very good. Especially in this match, our service worked to our plan. Our service is our first attack and this impression in the match, it’s so important,” Ateneo head coach Sergio Veloso said.
It was a well-rounded outing for the Blue Eagles as they triumphed over the Fighting Maroons in five of six statistical categories, namely in attacks (48-30), blocks (5-3), aces (6-5), digs (35-25), and sets (17-10).
De Guzman provided ample support with 14 points on 12 attacks and two aces with six excellent digs and four excellent receptions, while Miner tallied 12 points on seven attacks, four blocks, and one ace with three excellent digs.
Taks Fujimoto dished out 14 excellent sets and one ace, while Sarah Hugo tallied nine excellent digs.
Irah Jaboneta was the lone Fighting Maroon who breached double-digits with 11 points to go along with 10 excellent receptions and two excellent digs. Setter Jaz Manguilimotan tossed eight excellent sets in the loss.
The Blue Eagles will immediately face a tough challenge in a battle against the Lady Tamaraws next Sunday at the same Pasay venue.
Meanwhile, UP looks to bounce back against De La Salle University at the same date and venue.
