Ateneo had to go through a rough road to hack out a 25-21, 25-18, 16-25, 25-22 win over a gritty University of Sto. Tomas in the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre on Wednesday.
The Lady Eagles bucked a third-set meltdown to claim their first victory in the tournament after dropping the opener against rival La Salle on Sunday.
UST dropped to a 1-1 card.
Eager to chalk up win No. 1, the Katipunan-based spikers raced off to a 10-3 lead to start the fourth frame. They were able to maintain that lead until the Golden Tigresses showed grit and moved to within two, 19-17, on Rondina's powerful smash.
Ateneo retaliated with a mini 4-1 rally. Rondina, Milena Alessandrini, and Eya Laure scored after that before Samonte's long error allowed the girls in yellow to come to within a point, 23-22.
That's when Tolentino took charge anew. The team captain soared from the right side for a thunderous attack that went through the hands of Rondina to put the team at match point, 24-22. Alessandrini, eager to make a noise in what turned out to be a quiet game for her, then sent the ball to the side and Ateneo went on to win the match.
Tolentino led Ateneo with 22 points including four blocks and a couple of services aces. Maddie Madayag added 15 points built on six blocks.
Rondina paced UST with team-high 20 points while also getting 24 excellent digs. Laure chipped in 12 points.
Ateneo leaned on defense to take the first two sets, outscoring UST in the blocking department, 10-to-nothing.
But the Golden Tigresses's offense was a lot more unpredictable in the third set, with points coming from everyone outside Sisi Rondina.
UST took a 16-6 advantage on Rondina's off-the-block attack. Alessandrini, who was struggling on offense against the trio of Bea De Leon, Maddie Madayag, and Tolentino, committed an error as Ateneo cut the deficit to five, 20-15.
But Ateneo broke its own momentum after De Leon committed a service error. Alessandrini made her presence felt and scored the last three points for UST, 25-16.