The Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University outlasted University of the Philippines after its hard-earned five-set win on Saturday.

The Blue Eagles survived the Fighting Maroons during their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Round 2 opener, with Lyann de Guzman and AC Miner leading the charge of ADMU against their Katipunan neighbors.

This allowed the Ateneans to improve to 3-5, tied with Adamson University and UP for the fifth spot.

READ: Ateneo eclipses UP in 5-set marathon for third win

“Sinasabi ko lang kanina na bigay niyo na. Hanggang hindi sila mag 15, hindi matatapos yung laro na ‘to,” said de Guzman, whose squad turned a 13-11 fifth-set deficit into a 16-14 win.

But aside from already being a great help to their record, this win meant a lot more for the short-staffed Blue Eagles.

Already dealing with the absence of Sobe Buena, JLo Delos Reyes, and Zel Tsunashima, de Guzman and Miner said that the manner in which they got their victory is an important lesson for their remaining players.

“Super intense nung five sets na yun, so it’s very helpful for us,” pointed out Miner, who had 19 points and 10 digs. “It really helps our development as a player, not just physically but also mentally. Pag pagod ka na, minsan nags-stop na yung thinking, pero we just kept on”

“Nakikita ko sa mga teammates ko na ine-embrace talaga nila yung mga role nila inside the court,” added LDG. "Eleven na lang kami, so kailangan naming maging ready always san man kami ilagay ni coach. Nakikita ko sila na sobrang eager na, and kahit saan man silang position, nagco-contribute sila sa team."

Now that they have shown grit and composure in such high-intensity games, consistency will now be the key for Ateneo moving forward, according to de Guzman.