Four-time MVP Marck Espejo tallied a season-high 31 points to lift the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles past the upset-hungry Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-14, 25-27, 25-23, 28-26, for their fourth win of the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Espejo ticked off his 31 markers from 26 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Head coach Oliver Almadro lauded his graduating spiker’s consistency.
“Marck knows when his team needs him. It just so happen kanina that we really needed him to be aggresive. At this point in his career, he’s become very reliable,” gushed Almadro who is gunning for a fourth straight UAAP crown.
The Blue Eagles needed every point of Espejo’s after giving up 32 errors to the Soaring Falcons, which led to the close calls down the stretch.
Middle blockers Gian Glorioso and Chumason Njigha paced the Blue Eagles with 14 and 13 markers, respectively.
Three Falcons scored in double-digits, led by team captain JP Yude, who provided 13 points. Converted winger Pao Pablico added 12 markers.
Ateneo (4-1) take on the struggling University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (1-3) on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Adamson (1-4) face the De La Salle University Green Spikers (2-3) on Saturday.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Espejo 31, Glorioso 14, Njigha 13, Baysa 8, Medalla 8, Polvorosa 4, Rivera 2, Trinidad 1, Morado 0, Sumanguid (L)
AdU (1) – Yude 13, Pablico 12, Bello 10, Miranda 9, Alvarez 6, Jimenez 4, Millares 2, Labang 1, Nuguid 0, Melgar (L)
