Reigning UAAP champions and two-time V-League titlists Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles waylaid the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers for their third straight win in the Premier Volleyball League Men’s Collegiate Conference, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18, Saturday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Marck Espejo led the Blue and White with 17 points off 14 attacks, two aces, and one block. John Rivera also had a double-digit output with 10 markers.
Former national team setter Ish Polvorosa put everyone on the sane page, dishing out 32 excellent sets in thr match.
For the four-time UAAP MVP, everyone just pinched in for the victory. “Teamwork eh; collective effort. Tapos service-receive lang talaga kami nanalo. Yung block, atake, pareho lang naman so nag-double lang kami sa service-receive,” he said.
The Blue Eagles had 34 excellent receptions leading to 43 attacks, while the Growling Tigers were not far with 30 receptions. However, UST only converted 27 spikes in the match.
Espejo believes that this third straight win will give them continued confidence, not only in the tournament, but also in the UAAP. After getting victories against the Far Eastern University and UST, the outside hitter said, “Siguro dahil nakalaban na namin yung first two na UAAP teams [dito], siguro mabibigyan kami ng confidence, psychological [advantage] kasi alam namin na natatalo namin sila.”
Nonetheless, the topnotch spiker also knows that the Blue Eagles must continue working hard. “Dahil din dun hindi dapat kami maging overconfident, kasi baka dahil dun, matalo kami,” he added.
Joshua Umandal continues to sizzle for the Tigers with 13 points. Co-captain Wewe Medina shockingly produced just three points in the game.
Ateneo (3-0) will try to keep their immaculate run intact as they take on the College of Saint Benilde Blazers (1-1) on Wednesday, September 13, at 8am. UST (2-1) will try to bounce back when they battle archrivals FEU (1-1) in the following game at 10am.
The Scores:
ADMU 3 – Espejo 17, Rivera 10, Baysa 9, Glorioso 8, Njigha 4, Polvorosa 4, Trinidad 1, Sumanguid (L).
UST 0 – Umandal 13, Bautista 7, Carodan 3, Medina 3, Buro 3, Sumagaysay 1, Tajanlangit 1, Corda 1, Icalina 1, Sawal (L).
