Behind another electric performance from reigning Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles ended the first round on a high, edging the De La Salle University Green Spikers 25-16, 28-26, 25-22, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Espejo tacked on 21 points, maintaining his place atop all scorers. The four-time UAAP MVP was pivotal in closing the match, scoring three of the Blue Eagles’ last five points.
After starting the season with a loss to Far Eastern University, the Blue Eagles have not lost a match. Head coach Oliver Almadro lauded the Blue Eagles’ motivation.
“Players come and go, maraming teams na intact, maraing teams na may drive. So what’s important is our steadiness of will,” thought the fiery mentor.
“Ang will namin, kailangan steady. Ang will namin, kailangan tumaas pa. So yes, we talked about it, but we take it as an inspiration. Hindi natin masasabi kung anong mangyayari because every team is a contender. What’s important is what they love to do, what they want to do,” the decorated tactician added.
Chumason Njigha and Ron Medalla added eight points apiece to pace the Blue Eagles.
At 6-1, Ateneo ends the first round tied with FEU and half a game ahead of the NU Bulldogs (5-1).
Raymark Woo led the Green Spikers with 11 points while his fellow opposite hitter Arjay Onia added 10.
La Salle ends the first round at 3-4, tied with the UST Tiger Spikers.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 21, Medalla 8, Njigha 8, Baysa 7, Polvorosa 5, Glorioso 3, Rivera 1, Morado 0, Trinidad 0, Sumanguid (L)
DLSU (0) – Woo 11, Onia 10, Dumago 7, Delos Reyes 4, Reyes 3, Maravilla 1, Marco 1, Asia 0, Dimayuga 0, Jose 0, Movido (L)
