Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

ADMU

Gamban, UP Fighting Maroons strut way to upset of Ateneo in UAAP 82


University of the Philippines had an electric start to its UAAP Season 82 men’s volleyball campaign, scoring a massive upset of Ateneo de Manila University, 25-21, 25-20, 25-22, Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Facing last season’s third-placers, the Fighting Maroons drew strength and confidence from Louis Gamban. The rookie out of Perpetual rained down 10 points, with most coming at the critical juncture of the match.

Trailing by a slim 20-21 margin in the decisive third frame, Gamban showed up with a lot of flare. He pummeled four consecutive hits, lifting UP to match point, 24-21.

Nicolo Consuelo momentarily halted the surge with a mishit, before Ruskin Ijiran iced the game for good.

“Ang goal namin talaga is simulan ng maayos ‘yun season. Nahirapan lang talaga kasi Ateneo ‘yung simula agad so ‘yung anticipation, ‘yung pressure andoon agad sa amin,” UP head coach Rald Ricafort said. “Sabi ko naman sa kanila lahat ng adjustments sa offense, defense, execute lang.”

John Lomibao led UP with 11 points, anchoring the Fighting Maroons in the early stretches of the match. Joshua Castillo and captain Mac Millete provided ample support with nine and eight markers, respectively.

The last time UP won a match against Ateneo was back in Season 76 in a first round encounter that ended in four sets.

Having ended a long drought against a team that paraded the likes of Marck Espejo and Tony Koyfman in previous iterations, Ricafort feels relieved. But he also said that their dreadful past should not weigh down the Fighting Maroons.

#ReadMore  PVL: Choco Mucho continues to soar, nips Petro Gazz in 4 for share of 2nd

“Hindi ko na iniisip ‘yun na may history na matagal walang panalo. Basta lahat ng kalaban namin, kailangan ready kami mentally atsaka physically,” Ricafort said

On the other hand, Chumason Njigha had his game-high output of 12 points go for naught. Carlo Glorioso and Kurt Aguilar managed 11 and nine markers, respectively, in a losing cause.

UP looks to build from this win when it faces University of the East. Meanwhile, Ateneo eyes a breakthrough at the expense of De La Salle University. Both matches will be held on Saturday, March 7 at the same venue.

Written By




You May Also Like

News

Short-handed PLDT made quick work of Farm Fresh, spoiling the debut of Italian head coach Alessandro Lodi with a 25-18, 25-21, 28-26 sweep to...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University has secured major commitments for its volleyball and basketball programs as two University of Santo Tomas high school standouts, Paolo...

News

Not long after the University of the Philippines men’s basketball team captured its second title in four seasons, Office of Athletics and Sports Development...

ADMU

Kennedy Batas — the newly-crowned Most Valuable Player and 1st Best Outside Hitter of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament — feels determined...

News

Olayemi Raheem was a dominant presence for the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament, but despite his impressive...

AdU

Rookie Tommy Castrodes showed nerves of steel against his high school alma mater, leading University of the Philippines to a reverse sweep over Adamson...

ADMU

Now that his eyes are dry after his final goodbye, Ateneo de Manila University libero Lance De Castro hopes to leave the Blue Eagles...

ADMU

With the pandemic making athlete eligibility more complex, Kennedy Batas is already contemplating his next move — even with two playing years left in...

Advertisement