With the game on the line, Kennedy Batas stood tall, leading Ateneo de Manila University to one of its biggest wins of the season.
The explosive outside hitter delivered a standout performance to lift the Blue Eagles past the surging UST Golden Spikers, snapping their four-game win streak while proving that Ateneo remains a force to be reckoned with in UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball.
Thanks to Batas’ heroics from March 5 to 9, the Blue Eagles are now tied with archrival De La Salle University for fourth place, gaining momentum as the first round of eliminations nears its end.
His efforts not only kept Ateneo in the race but also earned him the Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) UAAP Men’s Player of the Week honor, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Batas delivered 21 points on 17 attacks, three aces, and one block, along with 10 receptions, to steer Ateneo to a stunning 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 victory over UST on Sunday.
With the win, the Blue Eagles improved to a 3-2 record, halting the Golden Spikers’ streak while spoiling the much-anticipated return of two-time league MVP Josh Ybañez from an ankle injury.
For Batas, Ateneo’s composure was the key to overcoming last season’s finalists.
“Isang factor is yung composure namin,” said Batas, who won the weekly citation over NU’s Buds Buddin, FEU’s Mikko Espartero, and La Salle’s Vince Maglinao. “Despite yung maraming crowd nila, cinompose lang talaga namin yung sarili namin.”
Batas also credited the team’s improvement to their maturity and chemistry.
“Talagang mas matured kami ngayon,” he added. “Yung passion namin, mas tumaas, at yung chemistry namin sobrang solid.”
Ateneo now has a chance to break the tie for fourth place when it faces La Salle in their highly-anticipated rivalry match on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
