Ateneo de Manila University overcame another 30-point explosion from Nigerian wing spiker Olayemi Raheem to outlast the University of the Philippines, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-18, and notch its first win in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Eager to atone for an opening-day defeat to the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, the Blue Eagles rebounded from a first-set stumble, finding timely relief from reigning MVP Kennedy Batas in a crucial third-set comeback before closing out the match in four sets behind the clutch service aces of Enzo Gutierrez.
With the two-hour, four-minute win, Ateneo claimed a share of third place alongside UP, both holding 1-1 win-loss records. As of publishing, the winner of the clash between University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University will join the Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons in third place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“We’re actually very proud of the players because they stuck to the system. The first set was a bit shaky, but when we got to reflect on the mistakes of the first set, we just talked to the players na mag-stick sa system. Nakakatuwa kasi lahat ng pinag-preparean nung previous days, nag-materialize today,” Blue Eagles assistant coach Tommy Rivera said.
In the fourth set, Ateneo quickly turned a slim two-point lead into a commanding 15-9 advantage with a pivotal 7-3 run, capped by a Jian Salarzon crosscourt hit, a block, and a service ace from rookie middle blocker Rodge Alejos.
UP briefly regained its rhythm as consecutive attacks by Abram Robles, Raheem, and sophomore outside hitter Tommy Castrodes trimmed the deficit to 18-17.
The Blue Eagles, however, had the final say, finishing the contest with a dominant 7-1 run highlighted by two Batas attacks, three consecutive aces from Gutierrez, a Pacinio crosscourt hit, and a crucial service error by Castrodes.
Earlier in the fourth set, Ateneo had narrowly taken a 2-1 sets advantage after converting an 18-20 deficit in the third set into a 25-22 triumph, with four of their last seven points coming from Batas.
“It’s a confidence booster talaga sa amin dahil galing kami sa talo. Meron akong limited playing time, but then again, alam ko yung capability and alam ko kung paano ako mag-contribute sa team,” Batas said. He is currently recovering from a knee injury and finished with 12 points on 11 attacks and one ace in just two sets played.
Salarzon led the Blue Eagles with 19 points on 16 attacks, two aces, one block, and 10 excellent receptions, while Gutierrez orchestrated the offense with 19 excellent sets and six points.
Pacinio added 13 points on 11 attacks, one block, and one ace, while Nigerian spiker Aimar Okeke contributed 11 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Alejos finished with seven points on four blocks, two attacks, and one ace, while fellow middle blocker Brian Castro also chipped in seven points on six attacks and one block.
Ateneo looks to continue its winning ways against UST this Wednesday, February 25, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Raheem paced the Fighting Maroons with 30 points on 29 attacks and one ace, alongside three excellent digs, while Castrodes added 12 points, five excellent digs, and three excellent receptions.
Milven Francisco contributed eight points on seven attacks but recorded only one block after logging seven blocks in the opening-day win against University of the East, while Louie Aballa delivered 15 excellent sets.
UP will aim to bounce back against La Salle on the same date and venue.
