Defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles were again unstoppable, sweeping the undermanned De La Salle Green Spikers, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18, for their 21st straight win at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Ateneo led wire-to-wire, with La Salle never sniffing the lead. Head coach Oliver Almadro, however, believes his Blue Eagles could have played better if not for the spotty officiating.
“Unang-una, we’re bothered about the referees eh. Now they’re too strict, yellow card right away. And then pangalawa, sa calls, they’re too lenient. Some games, too strict, saan kami lulugar. That’s why I’m trying to tell the referees. They have to review the games, kung gaano ba sila ka-strict, gaano ba ka-lenient,” speculated Almadro, who picked up his second yellow card of the season.
“Anyway, it’s an external factor for us. We should not be leaning towards it. What’s important is we have to focus, we have to do more and strive more. Because the job is not yet done. it’s still far. Kalahati pa lang ng UAAP. So hindi kami pwede mag-relax, hindi kami pwedeng maging complacent,” added Almadro, whose team have swept the first round for the first time in program history.
Three-time MVP Marck Espejo had another brilliant all-around performance with 15 points, 14 receptions, and eight digs. Tony Koyfman and Rex Intal combined for 25 points. The Blue Eagles pulled a lot from their offense since they surrendered 31 errors.
At 7-0, Ateneo sit comfortably on top of the standings.
“It’s the first time to sweep the first round. We should not be overwhelmed because the job is not yet done. We want to push it more to the second round. What we’re trying to do is just relax first, don’t be too eager because sometimes if you’re too eager to push it, thinking of a sweep, thinking of that, nagiging baggage,” Almadro closed
“So we want to put every game as an ordinary game, and take what will be the result. But what’s important is we have to prepare hard.”
Open hitter Arjay Onia was the only Green Spiker in double-digits with 11 points. La Salle played without Season 78 Best Scorer Raymark Woo, who suffered a right knee sprain.
La Salle fall to sixth place with a 2-5 slate.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 15, Koyfman 13, Intal 12, Villanueva 7, Baysa 4, Glorioso 1, Magadia 0, Medalla 0, Rivera 0, Sumanguid (L)
DLSU (0) – Onia 11, Dumago 6, Jose 4, Dimayuga 3, Marco 2, Asia G. 1, Asia R. 1, Delos Reyes Reyes 1, Del Pilar 0, Movido (L)
