Ateneo de Manila University gave head coach Vince Mangulabnan a triumphant debut, overcoming a third-set slip to secure a 25-17, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23 victory over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles dominated the first two sets but faltered late in the third, allowing Adamson to capitalize behind the efforts of Marc Paulino and Ahmed Tahiluddin, cutting Ateneo’s lead to 2-1.
Regaining composure in the fourth, Ateneo fended off Adamson’s resistance to claim its first win of the season. In doing so, the Blue Eagles extended the Soaring Falcons’ losing streak to seven games, dating back to April 3, 2024, in Season 86.
Adamson’s last victory came in a sweep of the University of the East during its second-round opener on March 23, 2024.
“Marami pa kami kailangan ayusin, lalo na sa upcoming game namin against NU. Itong game na ito kasi nanalo kami dahil sa mga players talaga,” Mangulabnan said.
He explained, “Sumunod lang sila sa gusto mangyari ng coaches and nag-adjust sila in-game talaga na marami kaming hindi nakikita ng mga coaches, kaya mas nakikita nila. Yung win na ito, ginusto talaga nila ito.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media TeamFollowing a narrow third-set loss, Brian Castro, Amil Pacinio, and Kennedy Batas powered Ateneo to an early 15-11 advantage in the fourth set.
Adamson trimmed the deficit to 22-20, but a clutch quick attack from Jett Gopio, a crosscourt kill from Jian Salarzon, and a net touch error from the Soaring Falcons sealed the victory for the Blue Eagles.
Paulino and Tahiluddin spearheaded Adamson’s crucial 5-1 surge in the third set, turning a slim 19-18 lead into a commanding 24-19 advantage to deny Ateneo an outright sweep.
The Blue Eagles set the tone early with a dominant 25-17 first-set win, then leaned on Lorenzo Gutierrez, Salarzon, Pacinio, and Batas to secure the second set and put Adamson in a deep 0-2 hole.
Ateneo’s offense proved instrumental in its opening-day success, outclassing Adamson in attacks (57-39) and aces (6-1).
Batas led the charge with 24 points, delivering 17 attacks, five blocks, and two aces, while Pacinio added 18 points built on 14 attacks. Salarzon contributed 11 points, and Gopio chipped in 10, including four blocks.
Gutierrez shined in his UAAP debut, dishing out 19 excellent sets and scoring five points, including two aces. Team captain Lance de Castro, now in his final season, anchored the floor defense with 20 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
Ateneo will face an early test against four-time defending champion National University — Mangulabnan’s alma mater — on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, Paulino paced Adamson with 13 points built on 12 attacks, while Tahiluddin finished with 11 points, all but one coming from attacks.
Setter Ronn Domingo tallied 15 excellent sets, while libero Anrhil Cuadra recorded 12 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.
Still searching for its first win, Adamson will look to snap its skid against De La Salle University on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the same San Juan venue.
