Ateneo de Manila University’s resurgence in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament would not be possible without Kennedy Batas, who currently leads the MVP race in the men’s division after an outstanding first-round performance.
The third-year outside hitter from Santiago, Isabela, is carving a path similar to five-time MVP Marck Espejo, guiding the Blue Eagles to a 5-3 record through eight games.
Batas has accumulated 160.370 statistical points (SPs), ranking first in total points (142), fourth in spiking efficiency (45.52%), fourth in service aces (0.37 per set), and eighth in digs (1.44 per set).
While the prospect of becoming the first Atenean MVP since Espejo’s legendary five-peat (Seasons 76-80) is an honor, Batas remains focused on a bigger goal: ending Ateneo’s six-year Final Four drought.
“Parang reward lang talaga siya ng hard work ng team, pero hindi ko masyadong iniisip kung ano yung points or na leading ako sa MVP. Ang focus ko lang talaga ay sa team — kung paano ako makaka-contribute,” said Batas, who tallied 14 points in Ateneo’s dominant 25-16, 25-18, 25-21 sweep of the University of the Philippines to open the second round at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
“Pero yung success ko na ito, hindi rin overnight. Lagi ko winowork-on ito every training, kung paano maitatama yung lapses namin nung first round and in the past two seasons.
“I’ll continue to remind them na hindi pa tapos ang laban. Every day, kailangan namin may matutunan at dapat prepared kami sa lahat ng games kung gusto naming makapasok sa Final Four,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Beyond the individual accolades, Batas remains committed to instilling a “one game at a time” mentality within the Blue Eagles to maximize their postseason chances.
In his first two years with Ateneo, the Blue Eagles narrowly missed the Final Four. They finished with identical 7-7 records in Seasons 85 and 86 — just one win shy of De La Salle University (8-6, Season 85) and the University of Santo Tomas (8-6, Season 86).
“Yung mindset lang talaga, lagi naming sinasabi sa isa’t isa na one game at a time. Sabi ko nga last time, pag nakatingin ka sa dulo, pwede kang madapa. Kung ano yung present, doon muna kami. ‘Yon yung winowork-on namin — yung mga lapses at kung ano pa pwede naming gawin,” shared the University of La Sallette alumnus.
Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan echoed Batas’ sentiments, stressing the importance of selflessness and team-first mentality in their campaign.
“Nakaka-proud ito as a coach kasi pasok yung mga players mo sa individual categories. Pero sabi ko sa kanila, kung magiging selfish sila, ako mismo magdadrag sa kanila pababa. Pwede ko naman silang huwag ipasok kung alam kong makakasira sila sa team. Hindi ko hahayaan ‘yon — gagawin ko ang lahat para makabalik kami sa Final Four,” Mangulabnan said.
With Batas leading the charge and the Blue Eagles embracing a renewed sense of purpose, Ateneo’s quest for a long-awaited Final Four return is far from over — it’s only just beginning.
#WATCH: Vince Mangulabnan, Amil Pacinio, and Ken Batas are determined to go on a streak in the second round of the #UAAPSeason87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/SC46cKTatc
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 22, 2025
