Bar none, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles have been the most dominant team in UAAP Volleyball for the past three years. The spikers from Loyola Heights went undefeated in Seasons 77, 78, and 79 Finals against the National University Bulldogs.
But in each Finals series, NU improved slowly and kept pushing the Blue Eagles to the limit.
Facing off again in Season 80, the tables have turned and NU look like the clear favorites after Game One.
Now in the fourth year of their rebuilding program, the Bulldogs’ veterans played their finest game against the Blue Eagles, sweeping the three-peat champions in Game One.
Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro rued his team’s stiff play. Coming off a grueling series against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, Ateneo have to adjust to whole different threat in NU.
“We’re very sorry that medyo tight kami today. Siguro medyo na-hyped up or medyo we have a gruesome semifinal series with FEU. So I guess yung preparation namin going to FEU, iba going to the NU eh,” said Almadro.
“Though nakita namin sila nung eliminations, ibang adjustment going to FEU eh. Sobrang iba yun, so sometimes you cannot bring an adjustment to a team then dadalhin mo ulit sa kabilang team. So it’s a matter of being consistent and being capable of adjusting right away sa in-game.”
Ateneo’s ace Marck Espejo was held to just 16 points after averaging 46 in two games against FEU. The four-time Most Valuable Player added that their sense of urgency will be tested in what could be his final match of his career.
“Walang pressure kasi sanay naman kami sa finals, lagi kaming nandito.
“Siguro di lang namin na-execute nang maayos saka naghintay kami kung ano yung gagawin nila. Hindi kami yung… yung mga ginagawa namin sa training, hindi namin nailabas,” said the leading candidate for this season’s MVP plum.
With their backs against the wall, Almadro expects a different level of play from his wards.
“What’s important is yung mga players ko, after the huddle, they told me that they will still ask for one, ‘Coach, one, just give us one.’ Ibig sabihin bigyan ko lang sila ng isa, I’m sure they’ll be back. So nandito kami, our backs against the wall, pero we will never back down,” emphasized Almadro.
“We will still prepare and we will still ask from the Lord for strength and courage. That’s what’s lacking today. Kulang na kulang kami ng strength, but I’m sure my players will be back. They will be resilient and I trust them when they said they want one more, they will do it.”
