The finalists of the last two Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the National University Bulldogs, met again — and with the usual result.
With Marck Espejo pouring in 23 massive points, the Blue Eagles continued their unbeaten streak and lorded over the Bulldogs, 25-19, 25-19, 25-15, to end their elimination round campaign at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Espejo’s 23 points came on a deadly efficient 20-for-26 attacking clip. Combined with their strategic serving, Ateneo overpowered the NU offense 42-27 on attacks.
Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro lauded the four-time UAAP MVP’s performance, but emphasized his squad’s strong team play.
“Marck is becoming more of a leader. He knows just as much as anybody that, for us to win, kailangan lahat sila sa loob ng court maganda ang gagalawin,” said Almadro. “I’m happy that we won. Siguro, nagi-improve talaga ‘yung team with every game and, hopefully, we continue to improve in the semis.”
The two-time PVL champs enter the semis as the top seed with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws coming in second. They await the results of the matches on Monday to determine their foes in the best-of-three series.
No Bulldog scored in double-digits with Madz Gampong tallying nine markers, while Francis Saura added eight.
With a 3-3 record, the Bulldogs need to triumph over the winless CSB Blazers on Monday to make the Final Four.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 23, Rivera 8, Glorioso 6, Njigha 6, Polvorosa 5, Baysa 3, Labao 2, Llenos 0, Magadia 0, Sumanguid (L)
NU (0) – Gampong 9, Saura8, Bagunas 5, Ismail 4, Ogoc 3, Daymil 2, Natividad 2, Malabunga 1, Ancheta 0, Dayandante 0, Marcos (L)
