Taking advantage of an error-plagued University of Santo Tomas side, the treble-seeking Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles powered in their second win of Season 80 at the Tiger Spikers’ expense, 25-22, 25-15, 25-23, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
UST handed the defending champs 31 errors while Ateneo had just 18 giveaways. UST’s errors proved crucial in the Tiger Spikers’ collapse in the third set.
Ateneo leaned on their open hitters in four-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo and Ron Medalla. Espejo tallied 16 points coming off 14 attacks and two blocks while Medalla added 13 markers.
“UST is a very good team and they’re very well-coached. They got better since last season, definitely. Today, our experience just showed, siguro,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro.
“We had our share of lapses, but my players just trusted each other and trusted their preparation. We’re still growing as a team and we’re very happy to get through these types of challenges,” the champion mentor added.
The Blue Eagles, after losing their first match of the season, cruised to their second straight win. They take on the winless UE Red Warriors (0-3) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Arnold Bautista led the Tiger Spikers with 13 points while open hitter Manuel Medina managed 10.
The Tiger Spikers suffered their first loss in three matches. They face the Adamson Soaring Falcons (0-2) on Sunday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 16, Medalla 13, Njigha 6, Baysa 4, Glorioso 4, Polvorosa 1, Labao 0, Morado 0, Rivera 0, Trinidad 0, Sumanguid (L)
UST (0) – Bautista 13, Medina 10, Umandal 9, Carodan 7, Tajanlangit 3, Buro 1, Arbasto 0, Valenzuela 0, Sawal (L)
