The Ateneo Blue Eagles fell tragically short in their revenge game against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in a five-set nail-biter, going down 27-25, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 14-16 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Men’s Volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 17, at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
Tallying a career-high 39 points, four-time UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Marck Espejo tied the UAAP record for the most points scored in a match, a feat previously set by Raymark Woo of De La Salle University (DLSU) in Season 77. From the opposition side, Redijohn Paler and Jude Garcia lit up the scoreboard, putting up 17 points each.
Ateneo Head Coach Oliver Almadro started Karl Baysa, Espejo, Ish Polvorosa, Ron Medalla, Gian Glorioso, Chu Njigha, and Manuel Sumanguid as libero. Pau Trinidad and Jobok Morado were utilized as server specialists while wing spiker John Rivera and middle blocker Jasper Tan were also subbed in during the game.
Both teams started the first set playing top notch offense. Espejo immediately established his presence with an explosive scoring output, but FEU’s kill tandem of Jude Garcia and John Paul Bugaoan evened the set with their own offensive endeavors. Heading into the second technical time-out (TTO) down 14-16, Ateneo dug their own grave with 12 errors, twice as many as FEU. At FEU’s second set point, Espejo landed a cross-court kill in the clutch to bring the set to a deuce, 24-24, and the Blue Eagles took the set after a quick from Njigha, 27-25.
[1st set] Njigha takes set point with a quick!
Ateneo 27 FEU 25#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/QHH99gVD8L
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) March 17, 2018
A stronger FEU defensive effort characterized the second set. Ateneo had a small lead coming into the first TTO after a kill block from Polvorosa made it an 8-7 game, and quick attacks from Glorioso coupled with spikes from Baysa gave them a 20-17 advantage late in the set. FEU retaliated with monstrous 7-1 run led by Bugaoan’s attacks and defensive presence, eventually taking the second set after a net touch violation, 23-25.
[2nd set] A net touch violation surrenders the set.
Ateneo 23 FEU 25#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/VAKWAJAvnE
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) March 17, 2018
In the third set, Espejo and Baysa stepped up to level the score and undo the damage caused by Jude Garcia. Ateneo’s errors once again gave the advantage to FEU, who hit the gas to earn a sizeable 13-16 lead entering the second TTO. The Blue and White managed a short run thanks to Espejo’s spikes, but further errors continued to plague them and eventually conceded the set at 20-25.
[3rd set] Glorioso’s time delay attack goes out. FEU takes the set.
Ateneo 20 FEU 25#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/XzmbD3GrUX
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) March 17, 2018
With the game on the line, the fourth set opened in Ateneo’s favor, with the score reading 8-6 heading into the first TTO. Espejo took advantage of the off-rhythm Tamaraws and launched attacks from different spots on the court. Despite being hounded by multiple blockers, Espejo powered the Blue Eagles’ offense to extend the match with a cross court kill through two Tamaraw blockers, forcing a fifth set at 25-21.
[4th set] Cross court kill by Espejo to force the fifth set!
Ateneo 25 FEU 21#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/XdYCEUkwfy
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) March 17, 2018
The do-or-die fifth was a shootout between Espejo and Paler at the front lines. The first TTO saw the set tied at 8-8, but a disastrous 5-0 run by FEU shifted the momentum in the Tamaraw’s favor, 11-14. Rookie server specialist Morado made an impact, throwing off FEU’s attacks to knot the set at 14-14 following a 3-0 run, but FEU took the thrilling game after Team Captain Richard Solis found a gap in the Ateneo court for match point at 14-16.
[5th set] Solis gets the kill. FEU takes the match in five sets.
Ateneo 14 FEU 16#UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/UvVUvT7ZYj
— James Gavina (@James_TheGUIDON) March 17, 2018
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Coach Almadro emphasized the need for courage and stability on his team. “We just have to be consistent and be brave in everything we do,” he said. ”We are still the defending champions, we will just prepare for the games that matter most.”
The Blue Eagles now stand at an 8-2 win-loss record in the UAAP, with their only losses coming at the hands of FEU. Ateneo will facethe University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in their next match on Saturday, March 24, 10:00 AM, at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
Set Scores
Ateneo-FEU: 27-25, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 14-16
Box Score
Ateneo: Espejo – 39, Baysa – 11, Njigha – 8, Medalla – 8, Glorioso – 7, Rivera – 3, Tan – 2, Polvorosa – 1
FEU: Garcia – 17, Paler – 17, Bugaoan, 15, Solis – 13, Quiel – 6, Suarez – 5, Bautista – 3, Marmeto – 1
