The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles are near a first-round sweep of UAAP Season 79, thumping the University of the Philippines Maroon Spikers, 25-18, 26-24, 25-16 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Facing the highly-improved Maroons, Ateneo got off to a fast start, compounding their 21-17 lead with a 4-1 run to take the first set. With two bench players coming in for starters in the second set, the Blue Eagles struggled, needing to climb back from a four-point UP lead and take a the set via a deuce.
“I’m happy that we won pero hindi masyadong maganda ‘yung pinakita ng mga bench players ko. Sana makabawi kami sa following games,” lamented Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro.
The third set became a squash quickly, with Ateneo racing to a 23-14 lead and never looking back. However, a controversial call on a touch ball elicited a red-card worthy response from Almadro.
“We have great referees. Pero I hope na sana they also watch replays of the game. Kanina, medyo malayo ‘yung score so the red card, medyo okay pa pero in other games that might have been crucial for us,” Almadro added.
“As a coach, makikita mo ‘yung paghihirap nang mga players sa training to get everything they do right. Kaya mafru-frustrate ka talaga if may mga tawag na ganoon na takes away their hard work.”
Nevertheless, American foreign student-athlete Tony Koyfman had his best match of the season, scoring 16 points off 12 attacks, three blocks, and an ace. Three-time MVP Marck Espejo tallied 12 points.
Ateneo are on top of the league with 6-0 record. Standing in their way of the first round sweep are rivals De La Salle University Green Spikers (2-4), whom they will face on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Sophomore Mark Millete led UP with 15 points, while Alfred Valbuena provided six.
UP are tied at third with the University of Santo Tomas and the Far Eastern University with a 3-2 slate. They take on the National University Bulldogs (4-1) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Koyfman 16, Espejo 12, Villanueva 7, Baysa 4, Intal 3, Polvorosa 3, Glorioso 2, Medalla 0, Rivera 0, Sumanguid (L)
UP (0) – Millete 16, Valbuena 6, San Pascual 5, Castillo 4, Miguel 3, Baldelovar 2, Consuelo 0, San Pedro 0, Luna (L), Nasol (L)
