THE MALL of Asia Arena played host to two “Battles of Katipunan” and saw the clash of maroon and blue, as the Blue and Lady Eagles took on the University of the Philippines (UP) in the first Final Four match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 78. With phenoms Alyssa Valdez and Marck Espejo leading the charge, both Ateneo teams punched in three-set sweeps against the Maroons to guarantee a shot at their title defense.

In the Women’s division, the semifinal match pitted the Lady Eagles against one of the only two teams that handed them a defeat in the elimination round, when the less experienced Lady Maroons caused a huge upset in the first round. However, the title-holders made short work of the fourth-seeded squad, taking the first three sets at 25-19, 25-16, and 25-21 to sweep the game.

The third set of the match saw the state university rally back in an attempt to keep their finals hopes alive as the Blue and White inched closer to match point. Although encouraged by strong performances from Katherine Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon­–who combined for 20 points–there was little UP could do to combat the energetic Jhoana Maraguinot, who countered the duo with 17 points. But of course, it was Valdez who put the nail in the coffin, spiking in the Lady Eagles’ last three points to secure their fifth straight finals berth.

Meanwhile, in the Men’s division, the Blue Eagles displayed their superiority on the court over a valiant UP side, finishing the game at 25-12, 25-13, and 25-16 to give the team a shot at a back-to-back championship. With most of their attacks initiated by Esmilzo Polvorosa and Espejo, who topped the team with 30 points all on his own, the Blue Eagles dominated throughout the match, reflecting their near-perfect record in the regular season.

Fighting Maroons Wendel Miguel and Alfred Valbuena combatted the Ateneo onslaught with 14 combined points, but ultimately, it was the support from Rex Intal’s offensives and Manuel Sumanguid’s heroics on the returns that merited the key to the Blue Eagles’ victory.

The Lady Eagles will face the winner of third-seeded Far Eastern University and second-ranked De La Salle University, the only other team to beat the Lady Eagles this season. Similarly, Blue Eagles await the winner of the National University-Adamson University semifinals matchup to be their Finals opponent.

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