Kennedy Batas kept his cards close to his chest as he faced uncertainty about his future following Ateneo de Manila University’s heartbreaking UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Final Four exit at the hands of top-ranked Far Eastern University on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
For a program that finally shattered its long-standing Final Four drought, the loss also marked an emotional turning point for one of its most resilient warriors.
Batas, who battled a knee injury for much of the season, still stood tall as one of Ateneo’s most reliable pieces in its return to the semifinal stage for the first time since Season 81 (2019).
In what could potentially be his final outing in blue and white, the pride of Santiago, Isabela and Season 87 Most Valuable Player delivered 15 points built on 11 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, along with 15 excellent receptions and two excellent digs in a hard-fought five-set defeat to FEU.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Actually, nag-propose na si [Jian Salarzon], charot. Siguro, rest muna, then we will cross that bridge when we get there sa kung ano mangyayari next year,” Batas, who still holds one more year of eligibility, said postgame.
Serving mainly as support behind starting outside hitters team captain Jian Salarzon and Nigerian spiker Aimar Okeke this Season 88, Batas expressed pride not only in their emergence but also in Ateneo’s long-awaited breakthrough after three straight fifth-place finishes.
With Salarzon, Okeke, Amil Pacinio, Enzo Gutierrez, Rodge Alejos, and Lance de Castro all stepping up, the Blue Eagles finally broke through and secured a Final Four seat alongside FEU, defending champion National University, and University of Santo Tomas.
Whether he returns or not, the 24-year-old opposite spiker hopes Ateneo’s breakthrough season becomes a foundation for something bigger.
“Actually, sinasabihan ko naman na yung mga rookies, even before, yung mga nasa bottom rank, malalakas sila kasi most of them are rookies. For sure, ayaw ulit nilang mangyari na nasa bottom rank sila. Magpursigi sila. Ito yung sinasabi ko sa mga rookies na hard work beats talent talaga,” Batas shared.
“Dapat gustuhin nila yung ginagawa nila, especially dapat committed sila sa kung ano yung ginagawa nila at dapat gawin.
“Na-reach namin yung goal namin this season pero na-fall short kami sa Final Four. Pero, still, nakaka-proud kasi sobrang ganda ng run na pinakita namin against FEU. Hopefully, next season, paghugutan nila ito para ma-push pa nila yung sarili nila at mas mahigitan pa namin kung ano yung narating namin this season,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo secured continuity in its leadership as Jian Salarzon confirmed he will return for one final run, after finishing Season 88 as the league’s seventh-best scorer with 197 points off 172 attacks, 17 blocks, and eight aces.
Salarzon’s decision to extend his final playing year came after Ateneo achieved its season-long goal of returning to the Final Four, finally breaking its “fifth-place curse” under head coach Vince Mangulabnan.
He will now lead a core that includes Alejos, Gutierrez, Okeke, and Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Finals MVP Pao Medino in Season 89.
“Ako, honestly, before the season, sabi ko yung last straw ko if ilalaro ko yung fifth year ko, yung last straw ko ay if makapasok kami sa Final Four. Nakapasok kami sa Final Four, so maglalaro pa ako ng isang year,” Salarzon said.
