The Ateneo Blue Eagles pounced on the reeling De La Salle Green Spikers, sweeping their rivals in straight sets, 25-14, 25-20, 25-21, securing their twice-to-beat advantage in the Semi Finals of the UAAP Season 78 men’s volleyball tournament, Sunday morning at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
While the Blue Eagles dominated the opening set. After trailing 8-6 in the first technical timeout of the set, Ateneo blitzed La Salle to take a 16-9 lead in the second technical timeout. From there it was just a matter of time before Ateneo took the set.
The Green Spikers put up a bigger fight in the following set. La Salle was in the lead early on once more with an 8-6 lead. Ateneo turned things around, however, taking the lead in the second technical timeout, and extending their lead to 4, 19-15, leading to a DLSU timeout. With the lead, Ateneo was content to trade points for the rest of the set.
Ateneo took the lead early on and never let go. Ateneo led by as many as 6, 22-16, but La Salle attempted to extend the match but cutting into the deficit. Leading 23-19, Ateneo rookie Gian Glorioso connected on back-to-back quick hits to secure Ateneo’s twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
Ateneo was led offensively by Marck Espejo and Josh Villanueva’s 11 points apiece. The player of the game award, however, went to their libero, Manuel Sumanguid, who had 20 excellent receptions and 8 excellent digs.
Cris Dumago was La Salle’s leading scorer with 11 points. DLSU team captain Raymark Woo, who is usually the team’s top scorer, had just 5 points for the game.
Ateneo’s coach Oliver Almadro, despite the win, expressed dismay at the refereeing during the match.
“I’m really furious with the officiating. I’m not saying palpak ang mga referee, but I’m appealing for them to be consistent because this is the final stretch of the UAAP. I’m not saying mali sila, they just have to be consistent. What will they call in these kinds of situations, tama ba kaming coaches, or tama kayo, or tama yung players? Kasi we’re practicing it talaga yung net touch na yan. Crucial yan eh, yung maliit na touch sa net point yan eh,” said Almadro, who has criticized the refereeing multiple times throughout the tournament.
“Kasi ang alam namin sa FIVB rules if it’s net, it’s net no matter what. Kaya nga binago yung rules na yon. So yun lang, I have to be vocal about this kasi lagi kami nadadali sa net touch na yan eh.”
“About sa game namin, i’m happy ang players namin nag deliver and kahit nag break kami, physically, emotionally, mentally hindi sila break. Focused pa rin. Final stretch na ng UAAP kailangan focused and determined.”
Ateneo’s next match will be against the UE Fighting Maroons on 10am on Wednesday, April 6 at the Filoil Flying V Centre. La Salle will have their next match on the same day against the NU Bulldogs on 8am at the same venue.
The Scores:
Ateneo (3) – Espejo 11, Villanueva 11, Intal 10, Marasigan 8, Polvorosa 6, Baysa 2, Medalla 2, Glorioso 2, Magadia 0, Sumanguid L.
DLSU (0) – Dumago 11, Woo 5, Onia 5, Jose 3, Dimayuga 2, Calasin 1, Maravilla 0, Marco 0, Bacon 0, Asia 0, Frey 0, Movido L.
