Sports

Blue beach spikers’ title defense ends on day three

By James B. Gavina

Published October 4, 2016 at 8:43 am

THE ATENEO Blue Eagles began their day with a win against the University of the East Red Warriors (UE), but a crucial loss followed, as the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (UP) defeated their Katipunan-based counterparts on Monday, October 3, 2016 at the SM Sands in Pasay City.

The Ateneo blue beach spikers currently stand at 2-4 in the elimination round standings of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Beach Volleyball tournament after the two games.

Blue Eagle pair Marck Espejo and Ish Polvorosa won in straight sets, 21-10 21-15, defeating UE in the first game. Espejo and Polvorosa dominated the first set as UE’s defense was just unable to keep up with the Katipunan-based pair all game. The showed a slight comeback from the Red Warriors, as they inched towards the lead score of the Blue Eagles. However, the Blue Eagles were still the first in the race to 21 points with Polvorosa ending the match with a spike.

This game placed the blue beach spikers at 2-3 after consecutive losses the day before. Heading into a do-or-die game against UP, a win from the match would drastically improve their chances of being one of the final four. On the other hand, UE has been in bad form throughout the competition and the Red Warriors end the day winless for both men’s and women’s divisions.

The second match was a completely different story. The first set was plagued with errors and multiple attacks failed to stay in bounds for both Espejo and Polvorosa. The Maroon tandem held the lead throughout the game and ended it in favor of UP (21-15). There were moments of brilliance in the second set but the Blue Eagles’ errors caught up to them in the end. After holding the lead at the interval (10-9), the Ateneo pair was unable to make good runs and extend the lead. A service ace by UP’s Wendel Miguel ended Ateneo’s hopes to join the final four and defend their title.

The last game of the season for Ateneo will be against De LaSalle University (DLSU) on Friday, October 7, 2016 at SM Sands in Pasay City. Both teams will be playing for pride on Friday as DLSU currently sits above last place UE on the table with Ateneo being third from the bottom.