The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles showed the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons out the door with a 25-12, 25-13, 25- , booking a third consecutive UAAP Finals appearance at the SM MoA Arena.
Making their first Final Four since 2010, UP seemed just happy to be there. They barely put up a fight in any of the sets, scavenging their points mainly off Ateneo’s errors.
The Blue Eagles zoomed to double-digit leads every set, making minced meat out of UP’s defense and serves. Ateneo had the luxury to slot in their substitute players in the latter parts of the last two sets.
“Madali yung match, mahirap yung preparation. We need to keep this up going into the Finals because we’ll never know what can happen. We’re thankful that we made the Finals again but we still have to win a championship,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro whose gunning for a second straight title.
Reigning MVP Marck Espejo cruised to 12 points on 12 for 18 attacking. Graduating team captain Ysay Marasigan added 11 markers while middle hitter Rex Intal managed nine.
The Maroons had just 17 attack points and spotted Ateneo 24 unforced errors. Open hitter Alfred Valbuena and Wendel Miguel had eight and seven points, respectively. Middle hitter Evan Raymundo played his last UAAP match and contributed two points.
Ateneo now awaits the winner of the National U-Adamson series. NU has a twice-to-beat advantage. Ateneo split the season series with the Falcons while taking both matches against the Bulldogs.
The Scores
Ateneo (3) – Espejo 12, Marasigan 11, Intal 9, Villanueva 7, Baysa 4, Polvorosa 3, Glorioso 2, Medalla 2, Rivera 1, Magadia 0, Tan 0, Sumanguid (L)
UP (0) – Miguel 8, Valbuena 7, Millete 3, Raymundo 2, San Pascual 1, San Pedro 1, Baldelovar 0, Consuelo 0, Luna (L), Nasol (L)
