PRIZED ROOKIE Ricci Gonzales has been playing volleyball for six years. No high school game could have prepared him for the seniors’ volleyball tournament though, especially since he was welcomed to the UAAP by defending champions University of Santo Tomas.
“They’re really tall,” Gonzales said, “and college volleyball is really tough.”
Coming from a third place finish last year, the Blue Spikers are now aiming to at least match their historic feat. However, their season was opened by two consecutive losses to UST and National University.
UST showed why they are the defending champions by quickly finishing their opening game. The yellow shirts dominated Ateneo in blocks, spikes, and serves ―ending in a sweep of sets, 3-0.
That same week, Ateneo faced the NU Bulldogs. The game started on track with Ateneo bagging the first two sets. The third set saw a change in momentum as the Bulldogs began attacking the back court. Led by former Ateneo mentor Oliver Almadro, NU ultimately won the game, with a heartbreaking 3-2 triumph.
“The biggest challenge we’ve had to face so far is wanting to win the game more. We could have beat NU but they wanted it more,” captain Ed Ortega expressed.
It was also a setback that power player and last year’s MVP AJ Pareja, a crucial cog in their bronze finish last year, already graduated. Nevertheless, Ortega looks at their situation with optimism.
“Before, only one of us could lead; now everyone can,” Ortega continued, “and we have a deep bench this year so we can rotate players.”
To replace Pareja is Mike De Joya, who is returning from a two-year hiatus. De Joya’s towering height plus his experience, has made him the number one blocker in the league.
Aside from a new big man, they also have a new head coach in Boyet Delmoro. Assistant coaches such as former Blue Spiker Timmy Sto. Tomas helps him in pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of his new team.
Said the team captain, “His strategy differs from that of our previous coach, but we respect him so we follow his system. In reality, he adjusts to us. The assistant coaches help him because they know us better.”
Even Ortega himself has a few adjustments to make on his second year as captain.
“I had many lapses as a captain, and I don’t want to make the same mistakes. My weakness is that I’m the first to be frustrated when we don’t get to score. I have to control that and encourage my teammates more. [Especially since] I’m the setter so I call the plays.”
After their two frustrating losses to UST and NU and a clearer view of the competition, the Blue Spikers changed their strategy. They specifically prepared for their next opponent by watching videos of their previous games.
True enough, they bounced back in their match versus Adamson University, 3-1.
“That was the one thing we did in the Adamson game that we didn’t do in the first two games. Before, we didn’t really look at how the other team played,” Ortega explained.
The Blue Spikers’ goal is to finish the first round with a 5-2 record. The challenge for them in Ortega’s words is that “our next opponents won’t go down without a fight.”
However, despite studying the opposing team’s plays, the Blue Spikers failed to execute against first runner-up Far Eastern University, putting Ateneo down to 1-3 in the team standings.
With their superb blocking the undefeated Morayta-based squad overpowered the boys in blue, 3-0, capitalizing on the absence of starter JJ Sandoval due to a loose patella injury.
The team remains optimistic in the next few games with Ortega and Duane Teves leading the team in successful sets and scoring respectively.
Perhaps they can take some tips from last season, when they finished with a 2-5 loss card in the first round but bounced back from a sixth to finish in third.
Their next assignment would be the University of the Philippines, which carried over its entire squad from last year.
After which, they expect an easier match against University of the East with the Ateneo lineup appearing stronger on paper. A game against archrival De La Salle University, who did not just retain its core but also added talented rookies, will cap off their first round.
The Blue Spikers may have gotten off on a rough start but they are definitely not quitting this uphill climb to the podium. Even rookie Gonzales believes it is possible to finish on top this season.
“College volleyball is really tougher but I’m coping,” Gonzales remarked, “and UST? They’re really tall, but they’re beatable.”
