Ateneo de Manila University dodged the upset arrows of De La Salle University, surviving another five-set thriller, 25-22, 25-18, 20-25, 20-25, 15-13, in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
With morale dipping after surrendering the third and fourth sets, the Blue Eagles rediscovered their fire just in time to keep the Green Spikers winless in four games and improve their own record to an even 2-2 slate.
“Siyempre, I commend the effort of my team — ‘yung hard work nila, ‘yung patience, lalong-lalo na ‘yung disiplina nila sa last set. ‘Yun ‘yung nagpapanalo sa amin. ‘Yung fifth set na yan sinubok na kami, naka dalawa na kami this week,” said Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Blue Eagles looked set to close the match in four sets after establishing a 14-10 lead, but the Green Spikers, powered by Eugene Gloria and Rui Ventura, surged back with a 15-6 run to force a decider.
Ateneo, however, fought harder in the fifth as Rodge Alejos and Kennedy Batas led a 5-0 start.
La Salle refused to go down quietly, with Ventura, Issa Ousseini, and NJ Bangit tying the game at 10.
In the end, Amil Pacinio, Batas, and Alejos had the final say, aided by errors from the Green Spikers — most notably a missed easy over by Ousseini — sealing the Blue Eagles’ victory in two hours and 28 minutes.
Pacinio led Ateneo with 18 points and 13 excellent digs, while reigning league MVP Batas added 16 points on 12 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
Jian Salarzon contributed 17 points and 21 excellent receptions, and Alejos delivered 12 points on seven blocks and five spikes, including five crucial points in the fifth set.
Ateneo now aims for a second straight win on Wednesday against league-leading Far Eastern University, still at the Big Dome.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For La Salle, Ventura spearheaded the effort with 18 points, Gloria added 15, and Chris Hernandez contributed 14.
The Green Spikers will look to claim their first victory in five tries on Saturday against University of the East at the same venue.
