Ateneo de Manila University played the role of spoiler to perfection, crashing two-time MVP Josh Ybañez’s long-awaited return and snapping University of Santo Tomas’ four-game winning streak with a 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 victory in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Making his first appearance since suffering a Grade 2 right ankle sprain in UST’s season-opening loss to Far Eastern University, Ybañez came off the bench hoping to reignite the Golden Spikers’ fiery run.
However, the Blue Eagles had other plans.
Ateneo delivered a well-balanced attack that doused UST’s momentum and secured their third straight win over the España-based squad, dating back to last season.
Bouncing back from a four-set loss to the still-undefeated Tamaraws on March 2, the Blue Eagles handed UST a wake-up call and tightened the race for Final Four positioning.
With the win, the team improved to a 3-2 record, tying De La Salle University for fourth place ahead of their highly-anticipated rivalry match on Wednesday, March 12, at the same venue.
“Lahat ng makakalaban namin moving forward is top team. Lahat ng teams sa UAAP, lahat yan malalakas at pang-champion,” said Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan.
“Ganon dapat namin sila pinaghahandaan every game — kahit sino at kahit anong rank, kahit maglalaro pa sa worlds, dapat iisa lang yung mindset namin na top-caliber yung kalaban namin para hindi kami maging complacent.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With the loss — and National University’s four-set win over the University of the Philippines earlier in the day — UST dropped to solo third in the eight-team standings with a 4-2 record.
Locked at 15-all in the fourth set, the Blue Eagles pulled away with a decisive 5-0 run. They took advantage of three attack errors from JJ Macam and Gboy de Vega, along with two quick hits from Jian Salarzon, to establish a 20-15 lead.
Rookie opposite hitter Al-Bukharie Sali tried to keep UST within striking distance, but Ateneo’s balanced attack proved too much. Amil Pacinio fired back-to-back kills, followed by a crosscourt hit from Kennedy Batas then an attack error by Dela Noche.
A game-sealing down-the-line spike from Pacinio wrapped up the four-set win.
Earlier, in the second set, Ateneo erased a 17-19 deficit with a late surge led by Pacinio, Brian Castro, and Batas to claim a 25-22 win and take a commanding two-set lead.
The Blue Eagles also capitalized on UST’s 11 errors in the opening frame, with Batas scoring the final three points to put Ateneo ahead early.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, ‘pag nanalo kami, hindi dahil sa aming coaches ‘yon, dahil sa kanila kasi nga nagtiwala lang sila kung ano game plan namin. It’s all guidance lang talaga with the way we practice at mag-aral, it’s all guide kasi yung inaral namin, nagbunga,” Mangulabnan added.
Batas led Ateneo’s scoring charge with a game-high 21 points, built on 17 attacks, three aces, and one block, while also tallying 10 excellent receptions and two excellent digs. Pacinio provided ample support with 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks, and one ace.
Salarzon contributed 12 points on 11 attacks and one block, adding eight excellent receptions and six excellent digs. Castro chipped in six points on three attacks and three blocks.
Lorenzo Gutierrez orchestrated Ateneo’s offense with 20 excellent sets and scored two points, while team captain Lance de Castro recorded six excellent digs and five excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, Macam paced the Golden Spikers with 14 points, six excellent digs, and three excellent receptions.
Dela Noche finished with 12 points on 11 attacks and one block, along with four excellent digs.
De Vega added 11 points, five excellent receptions, and four excellent digs off the bench, while Popoy Colinares also registered 11 points on eight attacks, two blocks, and one ace.
UST team captain Dux Yambao dished out 20 excellent sets.
The Golden Spikers now aim to close out the first round on a high note when they face the Bulldogs in a rematch of the past two UAAP men’s volleyball finals next Sunday, March 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
