A NEW round, a new slate.
After a disappointing 2-5 win-loss record in the first round, the Ateneo Blue Spikers resurrected themselves from a sixth place standing to a three-way tie in third place—alongside DLSU and UP.
Blue Spiker captain Eduardo Ortega says that the secret behind this sudden resurrection is no complex tactical change. It’s a simple thing called desire.
And with a brace of 3-1 victories over Adamson (AdU) on January 16, and National University (NU) on January 24th, its success rate proves to be second to none.
“Yung desire naming lahat ay isa siguro sa mga factors na nag push sa amin para maabot yung goals namin, (our desire to win is one factor that pushed us to reach our goals)” Ortega says.
Determination
But having failed to make the finals only once in the last five UAAP volleyball seasons, their next opponents, the FEU Tamaraws, are no easy wall to breakdown.
Facing the Tamaraws in any sports competition is never an easy task.
Their strength and consistency make them among the only real contenders to front-runners UST’s stake at the UAAP general championships.
Despite the Tamaraw’s intimidating credentials, however, the Blue Spikers’ recent string of victories have fueled them with a boost of confidence and an extra dose of determination, coming into their game against the mighty Tamaraws on January 27 at the San Juan Filoil Flying-V Arena.
The uphill battle: ADMU 3, FEU 1
Taking a strong step in this uphill battle, Ateneo’s spirit did not fail, fronting their opponents with strong blocking combo of senior Andre Pareja and Joseph Sandoval.
The Blue Spikers’ strong defense kept the Tamaraws at bay, allowing them to eventually take the opening set 26-24.
The second set, however, saw them drop their only set of the game.
Three bad serves, a foot fault, and handful of miscommunication errors handed the Tamaraws a five-point lead midway through the set.
As the Spikers failed to get a grip on their scoring opportunities, a series of good set-ups and unstoppable spikes enabled the Tawaraws to maintain the five-point lead and breeze through 25-17.
With the game being even at one set a piece, the Blue Spikers approached the rest of the game head on.
Determination. Blockers of the team erect a wall to repel the attack of the De La Salle squad. Photo by Jason C. Mariposa
The Spikers, through the strong offensive plays of Narcisco Intal, and key blocks by the towering combo of Pareja and Sandoval, went on a five-point run, taking a 16-12 lead half way through the set. While some lapses in defense allowed the Tamaraws to close the Blue Spikers’ lead to a single point, Ateneo regained its composure and took the third set 25-21.
In the closest and most erratic set of the match, the Tamaraws were determined to fight back.
With both teams failing to convert on their serving possessions, the score remained even until the Tamaraws got the better of the long rallies, developing a 12-7 lead.
Determined to close the game in the fourth set, the Blue Spikers rallied back 14-12 through more organized defense and key scoring and defensive contributions by Pareja.
Finally, after a series of blocked spike attempts by the Blue Spikers, Pareja tied the game 22-22 through a light lob over the extended Tamaraw blockers into uncovered FEU territory.
With two points needed for the Blue Spikers to close off the match, the FEU coach calls a timeout, screaming at the Tamaraws for letting their five-point lead slip.
But FEU’s motivational spiel was not enough to lift the Tamaraws as the Blue Spikers closed out the game through an un-returnable spike.
Looking ahead
Ateneo’s victory over FEU is crucial, Ortega says.
“Sobrang importante kasi kailangan natin mahabol from 6th place with only two wins sa first round (This win was so important because we need to catch up from 6th place with only 2 wins in the first round).”
The win over volleyball powerhouse FEU Tamaraws extends the Blue Spikers’ three-game winning streak.
