The Ateneo Blue Eagles’ AC Miner in action against the UE Lady Warriors in their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball faceoff. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA (UPDATED) — Ateneo de Manila University finally ended its three-game losing skid in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament. 

The Blue Eagles took care of business against University of the East in a tough five-setter, 20-25, 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 15-13, during their Saturday afternoon clash at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The short-staffed s Katipunan-based hitters ended the first round with a 2-5 record, and this was amid playing sans the injured Sobe Buena, Zel Tsunashima, and JLo Delos Santos. 

"It feels good," said Ateneo veteran AC Miner who finished with 23 points on top of six digs. "Siyempre, masaya dahil panalo, pero ang masasabi ko lang it thank you sa teammates ko dahil sa tiwala nila sa akin."

Also standing out were Lyann de Guzman who finished with 16 points as well as 14 receptions and 13 digs, and second-year ace Zey Pacio who shone with 17 markers, 14 digs, and 10 receptions. 

"I'm very happy sa pinakita ng team," commented de Guzman who ended the match with her game-winning attack. 

"Medyo nag struggle kami nung [first] and third set, pero hindi pwedeng sumabay kami sa kanila kasi we have our own pacing. Hindi yun yung tine-training namin, so kailangan naming maging aggressive inside," she added. 

This message allowed Ateneo to hold a comfortable lead in the decider, as Jihan Chuatico, Alex Montoro, and Robi Silla stepped up for a 14-8 ADMU advantage late in the contest.

Van Bangayan, however, refused to let the game slip away from them just like that, and she did it by pouring in four of UE's five-to-nothing spurt to get as close as one, 14-13, in the end game.

Fortunately for the Blue Eagles, de Guzman stepped in for her squad by delivering the crosscourt hit which eventually allowed them to halt their skid. 

On the other hand, this was the seventh straight loss of the Recto-based spikers in as many games. Bangayan led them with a game-high 24 points — all of which came from attacks, and Riza Nogales and KC Cepada followed with 14 and 10, respectively.