Ateneo de Manila University overcame a seven-point deficit in the second set before sweeping traditional rival De La Salle University, 25-22, 25-23, 25-22, to gain crucial breathing room in the race for the last two Final Four berths in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday morning at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Trailing 9-16 in the second frame, the Blue Eagles unleashed a dominant 16-7 comeback run behind the combined efforts of Nigerian wing spiker Aimar Okeke, Jian Salarzon, and Amil Pacinio to seize a 2-0 set lead that proved too difficult for the Green Spikers to overcome.
With the win, Ateneo strengthened its hold on solo fourth place with a 7-5 record. They also opened a two-game cushion over fifth-running La Salle (5-7) as both teams head into their final two elimination round assignments.
Both squads will face the Red Warriors in their next outing, with the Blue Eagles set to battle league-leading Far Eastern University Tamaraws afterwards. Meanwhile, the Green Spikers close their eliminations against defending champions National University Bulldogs.
Ateneo is aiming to end three consecutive fifth-place finishes that began in Season 85.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Siyempre, sobrang proud ako sa kanila, lalong-lalo na sa team kasi nga, nakita naman natin kanina na ginusto talaga nila. Siyempre, yung La Salle, lalaban at lalaban ’yan at ibibigay nila yung best nila,” Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan said.
“Ako, sobrang proud ako kasi lahat ng pinagpaguran namin nitong after nung last game — nag-double time kami at nag-extend kami — nag-pay off kami.”
After a shaky start in the opening set, a block from Eugene Gloria helped the Green Spikers build a comfortable 16-9 cushion in the second. However, the Blue Eagles responded with authority. They unleashed a 16-7 surge capped by a Salarzon backrow hit and a Pacinio down-the-line attack to take full control and build a 2-0 set advantage.
In the third set, La Salle stayed within striking distance and forced a 19-all deadlock, but Ateneo once again delivered in the clutch, mounting a decisive 4-1 run. The spurt featured two Okeke attacks, a Rodge Alejos quick hit, and an off-the-block point from Salarzon to establish a 23-20 lead.
A crosscourt hit by Gloria and an attack error from Pacinio cut the lead to 23-22, but Salarzon converted a crucial attack. Then Cameroonian middle blocker Issa Ousseini committed an attack miscue that sealed Ateneo’s straight-sets victory in one hour and 34 minutes.
Salarzon finished with a game-high 21 points, along with 18 excellent receptions and four excellent digs, while Pacinio added 13 points and four excellent digs.
Okeke contributed 12 points on eight attacks and three blocks, along with 11 excellent receptions and two excellent digs. Then Enzo Gutierrez dished out 19 excellent sets and added two points.
Graduating libero Lance de Castro anchored the defense with 15 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, the loss will allow the UST Golden Spikers to clinch the third Final Four slot with a win over the also-ran Adamson University Soaring Falcons later today at 3:00 PM.
The defeat also eliminated idle University of the Philippines — currently at 3-8 with three games remaining — from postseason contention for the seventh consecutive season.
Yoyong Mendoza paced La Salle with 13 points on 10 attacks and three blocks, while Gloria had 10 points, seven excellent digs, and five excellent receptions.
Chris Hernandez added eight points, six excellent receptions, and three excellent digs. Rookie libero Sherwin Retiro finished with 20 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
