Continuing their momentum, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles kept their winning ways going while sending the Adamson University Soaring Falcons further down their tailspin.
The Blue Eagles took a quick, 25-18, 25-22, 25-21, win over the Soaring Falcons and clinched their fourth victory of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Ateneo were dominant right from the first serve, taking a 20-13 lead in the first set. Needing to battle from an early Adamson run in the second set, Ateneo turned a 14-all deadlock into a 23-19 lead. The Falcons then got within two, 23-21, but were stopped immediately as Tony Koyfman and Chumason Njigha gave the Blue Eagles the last two points.
Trailing 8-13, the Blue Eagles relied on steady reception from their wingers and quick offense to go on a 17-8 run that shut down the Falcons.
Ateneo head coach Timothy Sto. Tomas went into his team’s motivation following another decisive win.
“They responded well. Yesterday, I challenged them that if we want to make the Final Four, we have to start tomorrow. We have to start winning games consecutively,” said the first year Blue Eagles head coach.
“We saw in the game how they responded. There were lapses, but [they] worked them out quickly,” the former Blue Eagle added.
Koyfman led all scorers with 14 points, while Ron Medalla paced the Blue Eagles with 11 points and nine digs.
The Falcons, who dropped their third straight outing, had graduating captain Pao Pablico go for 11 points. Leo Miranda added 10 markers.
Ateneo (4-2) take on the National University Bulldogs (5-1) in a rematch of last year’s Finals on Saturday. On the other hand, Adamson (3-3) face the University of the Philippines Maroons (0-6) on Sunday. Both matches will be played at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Koyfman 14, Medalla 11, Glorioso 10, Njigha 9, Rivera 8, Magadia 3, Cuerva 0, Morado 0, Sumanguid (L)
AdU (0) – Pablico 11, Miranda 10, Labang 9, Alvarez 5, Bello 5, Amburgo 1, Alicando 0, Jimenez 0, Nuguid 0, Valdez (L)
