The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles needed another dominant outing from ace Marck Espejo to outlast the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 24-26, 25-15, 25-18, 31-29, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Four-time Most Valuable Player Espejo poured in 30 points coming off 25 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, to go with 14 excellent receptions to bolster the Blue Eagles.
The Blue Eagles needed all of Espejo’s dynamic play to recover from a sluggish first-set effort. Ateneo eventually dominated the next two sets as UP’s offense stalled.
Ateneo had the inside track to close the match in the fourth set, grabbing a 15-12 following a string of transition plays. But the Maroons slowly crawled back, getting steady contributions from Mark Millete and their blocking to grab a momentary 21-19 cushion. UP then had a crack at set point, as Wendel Miguel dashed a hit down the line to give the Maroons a 24-23 lead. Espejo then worked to extend the set and keep Ateneo ahead in a heated deuce.
The exchange ended thanks to a timely ace from Ateneo’s Ron Medalla to close the game.
“We wanted to be strong, we wanted to stay aggressive. May mga errors kami, but I just told them to stay focused,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro. “Our goal is to keep getting better every game, develop our intensity and stay focused for the rest of the season.”
Medalla and middle blocker Chumason Njigha added 10 markers to pace the Blue Eagles.
Mark Millete topped the Maroons with 18 points, while Niccolo Consuelo managed 12 markers.
The Blue Eagles stayed tied with FEU in second place with a 9-2 record. They take on the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers (4-6) on April 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons (3-8) face the National University Bulldogs (9-1) on April 4 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 30, Medalla 10, Njigha 10, Baysa 7, Glorioso 7, Polvorosa 5, Tan 2, Morado 1, Labao 0, Trinidad 0, Sumanguid (L)
UP (1) – Millete 18, Consuelo 12, Miguel 11, Castillo 4, San Pascual 4, Gohoc 3, Baldelovar 2, Acuna 0, Nasol (L)
