Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

ADMU

Tony Koyfman relishes return to Ateneo Blue Eagles


When Tony Koyfman came in for the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ UAAP Season 79 Men’s Volleyball campaign, he was a boost to an already-loaded team.

Linking up with perennial MVP Marck Espejo and decorated setter Ish Polvorosa, the 6-foot-8 American out of New York made his presence felt in every match. It led to a decisive season sweep for the Blue Eagles and Finals MVP honors for Koyfman.

Conversely, he was sorely missed in Season 80 when health issues kept him off the lineup. Ateneo saw their string of titles end at three as both Espejo and Polvorosa bid adieu to the UAAP.

In Season 81, Koyfman is one of the lead performers in Ateneo’s bid for redemption, something he wants for himself.

“Physically, emotionally, mentally painful.

“Kasi having trouble in every other way, it was something else. I wish I could have been there to be that last piece, but maybe the Lord is telling us that there is another path,” said the now-24 year old Koyfman about missing Season 80.

In his first match back, Koyfman was Ateneo’s main threat. He topped the Blue Eagles with 15 points off myriad hits in a win over rivals De La Salle University Green Spikers.

UAAP81_MVBALL-DLSu-vs-ADMU-Koyfman-8877 Tony Koyfman relishes return to Ateneo Blue Eagles ADMU News UAAP Volleyball  - philippine sports news

Ateneo are in transition, having also lost head coach Oliver Almadro, who moved to the women’s team. In his final year, aside from proving himself, Koyfman wants to help the program and new head coach Timothy Sto. Tomas into their next phase.

“At first it was definitely… I don’t wanna say scary, but definitely I felt the pressure. When Coach Timmy asked me to take upon that role come Spiker’s Turf, at first I didn’t feel that I was ready,” admitted Koyfman when asked about his role on the team.

“But slowly and surely, considering how our team folded through, I just learned that this is my last year. It’s my last chance to really show myself and to everyone here that I can still do what I did, even two years ago.”

#ReadMore  Akhuetie, Perpetual continue Benilde's futility
Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.


You May Also Like

ADMU

Scoring 34 points or more in a UAAP women’s volleyball game is a rare feat — so rare that it’s happened only five times...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University made quick work of the undermanned University of the East, 25-21, 25-19, 25-16, to secure a bounce-back win and conclude...

ADMU

Noel Kampton delivered a stellar 27-point performance to lead De La Salle University past rival Ateneo de Manila University, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, in...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University played the role of spoiler to perfection, crashing two-time MVP Josh Ybañez’s long-awaited return and snapping University of Santo Tomas’...

ADMU

Far Eastern University, despite battling illness throughout the week, showed no signs of slowing down as it outlasted Ateneo de Manila University in a...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University has spent the past two seasons chasing, only to come up short. In Season 85, the Blue Eagles finished with...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University overcame a shaky start riddled with errors to defeat University of the Philippines, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-19, and rediscover its...

ADMU

Dante Alinsunurin showered praise on Vince Mangulabnan, his former player at National University, as they faced off as head coaches in the UAAP Season...

Advertisement