After frustrating losses in their first two outings, the Ateneo Blue Spikers banked on their superb blocking and powerful attacks to finally bag their first victory of the UAAP season by defeating the Adamson Falcons, 3-1, at the Filoil Arena in San Juan on December 5, 2010.

The Blue Spikers appeared poised to gain their first win, with Duane Teves, Mike De Joya and JR Intal leading their attacks as they raced to an early lead in the first set.

But after closing the first set, 25-17, Adamson Spikers Nito Jeruz and Ron Jay Galang shifted the momentum to the Falcons’ side with their kills. A number of wide hits and attacking errors from the Ateneo side gave Adamson the upper hand in the second set, 22-25.

Rattled by the Falcons’ resurgence, the Blue Spikers fell prey to service errors while Adamson raced to a 14-8 lead in the third set. The Blue Spikers, however, refused to go down this time as Teves and De Joya spearheaded Ateneo’s comeback willing their spikes past the formidable Adamson blockers.

Courtesy of an unreturned serve by Tevez, Ateneo took the third set, 26-24.

Only one set away from their first victory, the Blue Spikers established their lead early in the fourth set, 9-3. Intal, JP Pareja and Joseph Sandoval joined the fray in demolishing the Falcons through their solid blocking and varying attacks.

Despite the Falcons’ attempt to mount a rally through Jerez’ quick hits, Intal sealed the win for Ateneo, ending the fourth set at 25-19.

Set Scores: 25-17, 22-15, 26-24, 25-20