DESPITE PRODUCING a valiant effort to comeback from a two-set deficit, the Ateneo Blue Eagles faltered in the fifth set and were handed their first defeat by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Spikers, 18-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, 12-15, in the 81st season of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday, February 20, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The Blue Eagles’ starting unit composed of Ron Medalla, John Rivera, Tony Koyfman, Chu Njigha, Lawrence Magadia, Gian Glorioso, and Manuel Sumanguid as libero. Paulo Trinidad, Ariel Morado Jr., and Kurt Aguilar later came in as impact substitutes.

Outside hitter Koyfman was the star man in the Ateneo attack as he poured in 22 points. Both veteran open hitters Rivera and Medalla provided a steady figure for the Blue Eagles, with Rivera tallying 15 points and 23 excellent receptions while Medalla put up 11 points and 16 excellent digs. Libero Sumanguid showed his mastery in his craft as well with 18 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions.

Open hitter Manuel Medina woke up on the right side of bed as he chalked up 22 points to lead UST’s offense. Fellow open spiker Joshua Umandal chipped in 20 markers that included a service ace and a block. The lengthy Jaron Requinton earned himself 14 points while Jayvee Sumagsaysay added 12 more to his team’s account.

The Tiger Spikers asserted themselves ferociously early on, besting the Ateneo offense with several blocks to jump into an 8-2 lead heading into the first technical timeout (TTO). The Blue Eagles still continued to struggle on offense but errors from UST kept the Blue and White afloat, 10-16. Chu Njigha tried to refuel his team with a huge block on Medina to inch as close as 17-21 before Sumagaysay’s running hit gave the Tigers the opening set.

It was neck and neck in the beginning of the second set as both squads had answers for each other, with UST leading only by a solitary point at the first TTO. Their lead slowly gained ground as successful execution of their combination plays and an overhit spike from Rivera lifted them 10-13. Rivera tried to carve the team out of adversity with four consecutive points, 18-20. However, a miss-hit from Medalla grazed the antenna and handed the second set to UST, 21-25.

Njigha started strong in the third set as his two straight quick hits coupled with a pair of UST’s unforced errors led to a 4-3 lead for Ateneo. The Blue and White maintained a slender lead heading into the second TTO, 16-14, courtesy of Rivera and Koyfman’s combined cross-court hits. Koyfman went on to score four more points before the Katipunan-based side claimed the set after a net violation, 25-22.

The Blue Eagles started off the fourth set hot, going up 5-1, through the towering presence of Koyfman. However, Sumagaysay and Medina stepped up for UST and got them into the first TTO, 7-8. Ateneo pounced on 10 attack error and brewed a 7-3 blitz to force a UST timeout. The Blue and White later scored three consecutive points, before Medalla sliced through the block to force a deciding set, 25-19.

Coach Timothy Sto. Tomas’ side got off to a dream start in sudden death as attack errors plagued the España-based side, 6-3. Having scored two block points, UST quickly regained its footing and kept the match tight. The Tigers Spikers eventually took home the win, with Medina scoring off the Ateneo blockers, 12-15.

Starting setter, Magadia, shared his thoughts on what happened in the fifth set. “Na-short lang talaga kami, nawala lang sa circulation ng game (We came up short, we were lost in the circulation of the game),” he said. “Sa first part naman ng fifth set, dikitan naman yung game (At the onset of the fifth set, the match was tight).”

The Ateneo Blue Eagles will continue their UAAP campaign on Sunday, February 24, at 10:00 AM against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at the same venue.

Set Scores

Ateneo-UST: 18-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, 12-15

Box Score

Ateneo: Koyfman 22, Rivera 15, Medalla 11, Njigha 10, Glorioso 7, Magadia 1,

UST: Medina 22, Umandal 20, Requinton 14, Sumagaysay 12, Corda 7, Tajanlangit 5, Valenzuela 1