Utilizing their main offensive weapons to the hilt, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles put on another impressive display, dominating the young Far Eastern University Tamaraws in straight sets 25-18, 25-19, 25-13 in the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the PhilSports Arena, earlier today.
Ateneo’s supreme attacking and serving acted like a chisel, slowly chipping at FEU’s spirits. The Tamaraws battled hard in the early part of the first and second set, showing of an array of combination plays. But Ateneo caught on and shoree up their defense. Midway through both sets, Ateneo built their lead through their loaded serving, causing FEU to cough up errors. By the third set, the Tams had the life squeezed out of then as Ateneo’s lead grew to as much as 11, 20-9.
Three Eagles scored in double figures with Ysay Marasigan and Rex Intal each pitching in 11 points while reigning MVP, Marck Espejo had 10. Ateneo blew FEU away with their attacks, 33-20, and their serves, 11-2 in aces.
“FEU played with high intensity noong first game nila so we knew that we had to surpass them there,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro. “As the game went on, I tried to involve more of my players kasi you’ll never know what will happen.”
Greg Dolor led an anemic Tamaraw scoresheet with just six points.
Ateneo (2-0) will look to keep rolling against the Adamson Falcons (1-1) on Wednesday, 10 a.m. at the MoA Arena. FEU (1-1) will try to bounce back against the struggling UE Warriors (0-2) also on Wednesday, 8 a.m.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Intal 11, Marasigan 11, Espejo 10, Villanueva 6, Baysa 4, Rivera 4, Medalla 1, Polvorosa 1, Magadia 0, Posadas 0, Glorioso 0, Sumanguid (L)
FEU (0) – Dolor 6, Gacutan 4, Solis 4, Villegas 3, Garcia 3, Bugaoan 3, Paler 2, Quiel 1, Silang 0, Suarez 0, Marmeto L. (L), Marmeto R. (L)
