WITH A six-point comeback in the third set, the Ateneo Blue Eagles triumphed in the Battle of Katipunan against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in four sets (25-21, 23-25, 27-25, 25-21) on Saturday, February 25, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Blue Eagles now hold a win-loss record of 5-1 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Volleyball tournament.
Marck Espejo led the team in all offensive categories with 21 spikes, five blocks, and four service aces. The four-time UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) was everywhere on defense, as he racked up seven excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions. One glaring flaw, however, was Ateneo’s 36 team errors, which allowed UP to take the second set.
Ateneo Head Coach Oliver Almadro started captain Karl Baysa, Espejo, Ish Polvorosa, Ron Medalla, Gian Glorioso, Chu Njigha, and Manuel Sumanguid at libero. Service specialists Jobok Morado and Pau Trinidad were used throughout the match while John Rivera replaced Baysa in the latter sets. Egie Magadia and Jino Labao were also given playing time.
The first set started off with a huge scoring run as Ateneo led by eight points early on (11-3). UP made a few runs in an attempt to rally back, but failed to prevent Baysa from scoring off a combination play to take the first set (25-21).
[1st set] Baysa’s spike gives the set to Ateneo!
Ateneo 25 UP 21#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/fWj9OkE2ff
— Apa D. Aquino (@Apa_TheGUIDON) February 25, 2018
Coming into the second set, UP took complete control with multiple scoring runs and managed to lead by seven at the second technical timeout (9-16). Later on, as UP approached set point, the Blue Eagles attempted a comeback and came close to forcing a deuce with 4-0 scoring run (23-24). Unfortunately, Espejo’s serve went straight into the net, giving UP the second set (23-25).
[2nd set] After a short comeback, Espejo’s service error gives UP the set.
Ateneo 23 UP 25#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/JTHpBCk91k
— Apa D. Aquino (@Apa_TheGUIDON) February 25, 2018
The third set was a similar story, as Ateneo went down by five late into the set (19-24). The Blue Eagles then sparked a run, nailing six straight points, four of which were from Espejo, to take the lead and force a UP timeout (25-24). Rivera eventually took the set with a kill from a strong a serve by Medalla (27-25).
[3rd set] Rivera taps it in after Espejo’s serve! Ateneo steals the set from UP!
Ateneo 27 UP 25#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/ywqJG0rPZX
— Apa D. Aquino (@Apa_TheGUIDON) February 25, 2018
The fourth set was neck and neck, as neither team was able to pull away with a big lead. A late scoring run from the Blue and White, however, supported by impressive floor defense, allowed Rivera to finally take match point (25-21).
[4th set] Rivera’s attack off the combination play gives the Blue Eagles the match!
Ateneo 25 UP 21#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/07qOcTkmkD
— Apa D. Aquino (@Apa_TheGUIDON) February 25, 2018
When asked about Espejo’s back-to-back 30-point games, Coach Almadro said, “It’s about teamwork, it’s not about Marck [Espejo]. We will not win with one player only, we will win with the team,” said the veteran head coach.
The last game for the first round will be against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers on March 3, 10:00 AM, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasig City.
Set Scores
Ateneo-UP: 25-21, 23-25, 27-25, 25-21
Box Scores
Ateneo: Espejo – 30, Glorioso – 13, Njigha – 12, Medalla – 6, Baysa – 4, Rivera – 3, Polvorosa – 3, Labao – 1, Sumanguid – 1
UP: Millete – 18, Consuelo – 14, Miguel – 11, Castillo – 4, Gohoc – 4, San Pascual – 3, Baldelovar – 1, Acuna – 1
