Prior to the awaited Ateneo-La Salle women’s volleyball marquee game on Wednesday afternoon, the men’s teams of both universities went head-to-head, but their match was finished quickly by the Blue Spikers in straight sets.
The win was Ateneo’s 10th straight victory and gave them the first spot with an 11-2 slate. Rex Intal, who has been a consistent contributor for the squad, expressed his contentment with the way the league leaders have been playing in the court so far.
“Masaya kasi talagang matagal na naming pinaghahandaan to,” said Intal who scattered seven points in the sweep over their archrivals.
Ateneo started their season with a losing record in their first three games at 1-2 but a win against UP in the first round triggered their momentum, and the Katipunan-based team has not lost since that point.
Halfway through their goal, Intal shared the team’s mission this season as they look to bounce back from last season’s finale against the defending champions, the NU Bulldogs.
“Ang focus talaga namin is Final Four muna since patapos na yung elimination. Hopefully, after Final Four ma-avenge namin yung finals last year,” Intal added.
Despite the achievement of having the longest win streak of the tournament thus far, Intal said that the team can still improve in the future.
“Konting cohesiveness na lang pero madadaanan naman namin yun sa training. Tsaka bawat team naman pinaghahandaan namin,” he stated.
In addition, the team’s bonding has been a product of the good chemistry from the coaches up to the players en route to their standing as the league-leading squad in men’s volleyball.
Intal closed out by saying, “Gaya ng sabi ni coach, meron kaming trust, faith, and courage as a team, kaya dun kami nagfo-focus.”
Ateneo will close out their Season 77 elimination round on Saturday morning versus UST at the FilOil Arena in San Juan as the Blue Spikers seek to continue their dominance.
