Defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles shackled the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers’ offense and cruised to a straight set win, 25-11, 25-21, 25-21, Saturday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
No Tiger Spiker scored in double-digits with winger Joshua Umandal tallying five points. Most of UST’s 53 total points came from Ateneo’s 28 errors.
Four-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo and open hitter Ron Medalla topped the Blue Eagles with 15 points apiece. Middle blocker Gian Glorioso added 13.
Seeking a twice-to-beat advantage, the Blue Eagles need to win all their remaining matches and stay sharp, says head coach Oliver Almadro.
“It’s a challenge for us na makaabot sa top two,” said Almadro.
“Now, we’re staying very focused. We know it’s going to be challenging, but I trust my players, we trust each other to be able to get through this and hopefully, enter the semis in the top two,” the decorated mentor added.
The Blue Eagles (10-2) are tied in the loss column with NU Bulldogs (10-2) and FEU Tamaraws (9-2). They face the hapless University of the East Red Warriors (0-11) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Meanwhile, UST (5-7) need to win all their remaining games to have a shot at clinching a spot in the Final Four. They take on the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, also on Wednesday.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 15, Medalla 15, Glorioso 13, Njigha 7, Baysa 3, Polvorosa 2, Morado 0, Tan 0, Sumanguid (L)
UST (0) – Umandal 5, Sumagaysay 4, Arbasto 3, Buro 3, Carodan 3, Medina 3, Bautista 2, Icalina 1, Casillan 0, Sawal (L)
