PASAY CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – The Ateneo Blue Eagles pulled in a miraculous escape from a 0-2 deficit to win and survive Game 2 against the De La Salle University Lady Spilkers, 18-25, 26,-28, 25-17, 25-16, 15-11, to force the finals series to a do-or-die game to determine the 2016 UAAP Women’s Seniors Volleyball champions.

The Lady Spikers woke up a sleeping giant by pushing them in a brink of elimination during the third set with the newly crowned 2016 UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP), Alyssa Valdez leading the comeback.

Valdez scored a total of with 34 points throughout the entire match, 5 of which were scored in the fifth and deciding set.

“We’re just really lucky that we’re able to point off the blocks knowing that La Salle is really good in blocking,” Valdez said.

Ateneo’s comeback was architected by Coach Tai Bundit who kept the team on a positive note as also stated by Valdez. Credit was also given to Jia Morado, who kept throwing perfectly timed tosses for Valdez to spearhead the attacks.

On the other hand, DLSU’s Mica Reyes and Kim Dy also were also powerful during the game. Reyes scored 10 points while Dy scored 13 making her the top scorer of their team.

The final and deciding game of the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Finals will be held in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, April 30. Whoever wins, this series will add up to the stories of the historic Ateneo-La Salle rivalry.  (by Ernest Hernandez and Yelle Baquiano)

Photo Credit: Prince Coz / Sports On Air