Ateneo de Manila University avenged its first-round loss to Adamson University with a hard-fought 25-19, 25-27, 25-22, 25-20 victory, claiming solo fourth place in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Unlike their first-round encounter on February 15, when the Soaring Falcons eked out a five-set win, the Blue Eagles relied on their deep spiker rotation to overcome Adamson’s stern challenge.
Thanks to Season 87 MVP Kennedy Batas, Amil Pacinio, and Jian Salazon — among others — the team cruised to its third consecutive victory.
With the win, and coupled with De La Salle University’s (4-5) loss to University of Santo Tomas (6-3) earlier in the day, Ateneo secured solo fourth place in the eight-team field. They carry a 5-4 record ahead of a crucial showdown against defending champion National University this Saturday, March 28, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Salamat sa kanila. Thanks to their efforts, na nag-stick lang sila doon sa game plan. Itong game plan or game guides is a collective effort talaga ito. Talagang nag-brainstorm kami at talagang lahat ng ideas ng bawat isa, kinuha namin hanggang makakuha ng perfect guide,” Blue Eagles head coach Vince Mangulabnan said.
Tied at 10-all in the fourth set, Ateneo uncorked five consecutive points. Two attacks from Pacinio and Brian Castro — along with three attack errors from Jims Ducusin and Maruel Tan — put Adamson in a 15-10 hole that proved insurmountable.
Although the Soaring Falcons tied the frame at 19-all, the Blue Eagles flexed their poise in the clutch. They finished the contest with a 6-1 run, including two attacks from Nigerian wing spiker Aimar Okeke. Two attack errors from Leo Coguimbal and Andrew Tahiluddin helped seal their fifth win in a two-hour, two-minute affair.
Batas powered Ateneo with 24 points on 21 attacks, two aces, and one block, alongside 15 excellent receptions and three excellent digs. Pacinio contributed 18 points on 17 attacks, plus four excellent receptions.
Salazon finished with 11 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Brian Castro added six points on four blocks and two attacks. Okeke made a fourth-set appearance and tallied 6-of-12 kills.
Enzo Gutierrez distributed 23 excellent sets and added four points, then Lance de Castro had 18 excellent receptions and five excellent digs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, Adamson dropped its second consecutive match, remaining in seventh place with a 2-7 record.
Coguimbal led the Soaring Falcons with 15 points on nine blocks, five attacks, and one ace — the most blocks in UAAP men’s volleyball since teammate Richard Besorio recorded nine in a five-set loss to University of the East on February 21. Tan contributed 14 points and three excellent digs.
Besorio added 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks, along with 13 excellent receptions, while Andrew Tahiluddin and Lance Flestado chipped in eight and six points, respectively.
The Soaring Falcons aim to bounce back when they clash with the Red Warriors on the same date and venue.
