Ateneo nails 5th place in SSL pre-season championship

Ateneo de Manila University secured fifth place in the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship after defeating College of Saint Benilde in four sets.

The classification match took place on Friday, November 15, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Seasoned spiker Lyann De Guzman led Ateneo with 20 points, including 19 hits, while AC Miner and Geezel Tsunashima contributed 13 and nine points respectively.

Ms. Tsunashima scored two crucial points in the fourth set with back-to-back kills to fend off the Lady Blazers' attempt to force a deciding fifth set.

Ateneo's win over the Lady Blazers was supported by strong performances in spikes, outgunning CSB 64-48.

This marks Ateneo's best finish in the tournament, matching their fifth-place finish from the inaugural edition in 2022.

The Blue Eagles are now looking towards redemption in UAAP Season 87 volleyball early next year.

Clydel Catarig, Zamantha Nolasco, and Mary Grace Borromeo were the top scorers for St. Benilde, who finished in sixth place as the only NCAA team in the SSL playoffs.