Ateneo de Manila University overcame a shaky start riddled with errors to defeat University of the Philippines, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-19, and rediscover its winning ways in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite committing 14 errors in the opening set, the Blue Eagles quickly regained their rhythm, dominating the Fighting Maroons from the second set onward.
With the bounce-back victory, Ateneo claimed sole possession of third place in the eight-team standings with a 2-1 record, while UP dropped to a 1-2 slate, sliding to sixth place after suffering back-to-back losses.
“Marami pa tayo kailangan pa matutunan. Yung pagrecover namin is medyo mahirap siya kasi sobrang bigat pero thankfull we came out with the win kasi for sure ako sa tingin ko, nadadala pa nila yung talo last game. Sabi ko nga, mature naman na sila enough para i-handle yung ganoong emotions nila,” Blue Eagles head coach Vince Mangulabnan said.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Locked in a 13-all tie in the fourth set, Kennedy Batas sparked a crucial 6-1 run, scoring three points to give Ateneo a 19-14 cushion.
UP managed to pull within two, 20-18, after Dan Nicolas blocked Amil Pacinio, but Ateneo responded with composure. Three clutch attacks from Batas, a costly service error by Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem, and a well-timed 1-2 play from Enzo Gutierrez secured the Blue Eagles’ one hour and 53-minute four-set triumph for their second win in three outings.
Earlier, Ateneo nearly squandered a 17-9 lead in the third set as UP rallied to make it 21-20. However, timely hits from Pacinio, Brian Castro, and Batas helped the Blue Eagles clinch the set and move ahead 2-1.
In the second set, Ateneo built a commanding 15-7 advantage, fueled by back-to-back hits from Pacinio and another crucial service error from Raheem, allowing them to level the match.
The Fighting Maroons had drawn first blood after surviving a late Ateneo surge in the opening frame. Down 21-23, the Blue Eagles clawed their way to a 23-all deadlock, but a service error from Pacinio and a block from Nicolas sealed UP’s lone set win.
“Magandang learnings itong past three games namin kasi somehow pag pinagsama-sama yung sistema nung tatlo, sakto siya para sa preparation namin heading into the FEU game,” Mangulabnan added.
Powered by the offensive masterclass given by Jian Salarzon and Batas, Ateneo overwhelmed UP in the attacking department with a commanding 60-36 performance.
Batas tallied 17 points on 16 attacks with 18 excellent receptions, while Salarzon also scored 17 points with 14 attacks and three blocks to go along with 10 excellent receptions.
Pacinio contributed 15 points in the win, while Castro and Jet Gopio completed the five Blue Eagles in double-digits with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Gutierrez tossed 16 excellent sets with three points, while team captain Lance De Castro contributed 14 excellent digs.
Ateneo now braces for a tough matchup against title contender Far Eastern University next Sunday at the same Pasay venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Angelo Lagando paced the Fighting Maroons with 14 points on 13 attacks and one ace with seven excellent receptions and six excellent digs, while Nicolas chipped in 11 points with five attacks, five blocks, and one ace.
Raheem, who was the league’s second-leading scorer prior to the match with 41 total points, was limited to 11 points in the losing effort.
Meanwhile, UP aims to snap its two-game skid when it faces De La Salle University on the same day.
