The structure and the pair interatomic-force functions for Ni80P20 amorphous alloy have been reconstructed on the basis of the diffraction results. A mechanically equilibrated model has been built for the alloy. Within the model's framework, the character of the atomic arrangement has been studied in terms of the Voronoi polyhedra and the angular correlation functions. The predominant Ni3P-type prismatic structural motif has been observed. Prismatic ordering of Ni around P atoms is accounted by a strong P-Ni interatomic coupling. The results obtained are extended to other transition metal-metalloid amorphous alloys.