Ateneo de Manila University jumped back to the win column of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament after making quick work of University of the Philippines, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
King Mangulabnan, the youngest in the family of known setters, came off the bench and orchestrated the Blue Eagles’ balanced offense with 17 excellent sets leading to four players in double figures.
“We’re very happy that we were able to bounce back today coming off a very bad game against NU last time. I’m very happy that everyone stepped up today and everybody did well especially those who came off the bench,” said Ateneo head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas.
The Fighting Maroons chased the third set lead of Ateneo, 19-14, to tie it at 21 but Cyrus de Guzman and Ken Batas rallied for the Blue Eagles to finish the game in 76 minutes.
Ateneo was in a tight affair with UP in the second frame, 16-15, when Aimar Okeke and Jian Salarzon linked up for an explosive 9-1 finisher, 25-16.
The Blue Eagles joined the logjam for second at 2-1 alongside De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, and National University.
Salarzon, who also represented Ateneo in the beach volleyball tournament, delivered 18 points, while Okeke, who is from Nigeria, netted 13 points and eight excellent receptions.
De Guzman and Batas rounded out the Blue Eagles’ double-digit scorers with 11 and 10, respectively, while Ryan Daculan had nine.
Angelo Lagando uncorked 15 points but the Fighting Maroons stayed luckless at 0-3.
Ateneo will next face La Salle on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, while UP clashes with the four-peat-seeking NU before that at 10 a.m.
