The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles have become so good that there are games that three-time UAAP MVP Marck Espejo does not need to carry their offense like in his first two seasons. But when backed into a corner, Ateneo knows who their main man is.
With the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers coming to end their undefeated record, the Blue Eagles leaned on the resident of Marikina, who delivered 27 points and led the defending champs to a 22-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-21, Saturday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Loyola-based spikers opened the match struggling to receive, allowing UST to pull away early. With UST at set point, 24-20, the Blue Eagles saved two set points before Manuel Medina powered in a backrow hit to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead.
Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro lamented the uncharacteristic miscues that his team had surrendered in the first opening set loss that his team suffered this season.
“First set, we gambled, but we did not execute. Second set, at least, yung players ko, I’m proud of their resiliency,” said Almadro.
Ateneo then fell into an slump, and needed a yellow card called on their head coach to spark their spirits. The Blue Eagles, down 7-8, rattled off five straight points and maintained their lead to reach set point, 24-20. A string of Ateneo errors almost brought UST back, but a thundering hit off two blockers from Espejo gave the Blue Eagles the equalizer.
Espejo then peppered UST with his patented power jump serves, getting three aces in a 6-0 Ateneo run that put the third set out of doubt, 9-3. The two-time Spikers’ Turf MVP continued to dominate, powering the Blue Eagles to a 13-8 lead in the fourth set and never looking back.
“They (Ateneo) know how to bounce back. But of course it’s a bitter pill to swallow kapag mga ganon, but we accept kasi UST naman played well. Of course, hindi naman pupwedeng hindi masusuklian yung effort ng kalaban. So siguro, kami kailangan pa naming maging consistent. Consistent, but doing more. So yun lang, I’m proud na yung mga players ko naka-adjust right away,” Almadro explained, adding that he has not mentioned the word “sweep” to his team despite their 10-0 record.
“Hindi ko mine-mention sa team ko yun. I never mention it to my team. The sweep, I don’t even bother to say that word because para sa akin, the 10 wins is already history. What’s important for us is the remaining games and what’s important for us is to win the last game of the season. Yun ang pinaka-importante. Winning the last game of the season.”
The Blue Eagles next face the Adamson University Falcons (2-7) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Medina led the Tigers with 13 points, while Jose added 11.
UST fall to fifth with a 4-6 record ,and figure in a tight race for the fourth seed with their next opponent, the University of the Philippines (5-5). They play on Saturday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 27, Intal 8, Koyfman 7, Polvorosa 7, Baysa 6, Glorioso 5, Villanueva 5, Medalla 1, Sumanguid (L)
UST (1) – Medina 13, Jose 11, Sumagaysay 9, Cardon 7, Bautista 5, Buro 2, Icalina 2, Tajanlangit 1, Pangan 0, Samonte 0, Francisco (L)
