Pulling the majority of their offense from towering Tony Koyfman, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles whipped the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-22, 25-20, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The 6-foot-8 Koyfman was unstoppable en route to 22 points from 20 spikes and two blocks. Ron Medalla and Chu Njigha provided support, managing 14 and 13 points, respectively.
The Blue Eagles won their second straight match, coming off a rousing win over erstwhile-unbeaten Far Eastern University. Ateneo head coach Timothy Sto. Tomas credited his team’s consistent holistic effort for their recent surge.
“We can see the team really working hard and working together for every point. We’re still trying to get to a certain level, pero the team has really been responding well mentally recently,” said the first-year head coach.
Graduating captain Cris Dumago was the lone Green Spiker in double-digits with 15 points. Rookie Billie Anima added eight.
Ateneo (6-3) take on the defending champions National University (8-1) on Saturday. Meanwhile, La Salle (3-6) face the University of the East (2-7) on Sunday. Both matches will be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Koyfman 22, Medalla 14, Njigha 13, Rivera 7, Glorioso 5, Aguilar 0, Cuerva 0, Magadia 0, Morado 0, Sumanguid (L)
DLSU (0) – Dumago 15, Anima 8, Bacon 5, Delos Reyes 5, Reyes 5, Marco 1, Aquio 0, Balanong 0, De Jesus 0, Inocentes 0, Serrano 0, Macaspac (L)
