Days before their highly-anticipated Finals rematch, the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles got their legs beneath them with a quick sweep of the University of the East Red Warriors 25- , 25- , 25- , in the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Warriors were able to keep up with the defending champs early in each set. But UE did not have the extra gear to keep up with Ateneo’s blistering pace. The Blue Eagles had double-digit leads in every set and muscled past any challenge UE presented.
“I’m very happy with how my team has responded to the challenges this season. We’ve been preparing ourselves for this strenuous week since weeks prior and masaya naman ako with how we’ve been playing,” said Ateneo head coah Oliver Almadro referring to his team’s three game week which they started with a win over UP last Sunday.
Reigning MVP, Marck Espejo fired in 13 points on 10/17 attacking. Rex Intal and Ron Medalla eacg managed nine markers while team captain Ysay Marasigan added eight.
Vince Abrot towed the Warriors with 10 points while Edward Camposano added six. UE got out-spiked, 22-41, and had no service aces to ADMU’s five.
The Blue Eagles will take on the NU Bulldogs (4-1) in a rematch of last season’s Finals on Saturday, 10 a.m. at Smart Araneta Colesium. UE will try for their first win against the UP Maroons (3-2) on Sunday, 10 a.m. at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
“The great thing about my team is we don’t think about the championship at all. Talagang one step at a time. We look at every game and try to constantly improve on our weaknesses every game. Hindi porque nanalo kami nang dalawa this week, mananalo na kami against NU. We’re still going to need to prepare really hard.”
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 13, Intal 9, Medalla 9, Marasigan 8, Villanueva 6, Polvorosa 5, Baysa 4, Glorioso 1, Magadia 0, Sumanguid (L)
UE (0) – Abrot 10, Camposano 6, Alba 5, Adviento 2, Ortega 2, Gopio 0, Imperial 0, Yen Cheung 0, Inoferio (L)
