THE ATENEO Blue Eagles defeated their Katipunan-neighbors, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 21-16, 21-15, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Men’s Beach Volleyball tournament on October 2 at Sands at SM by the Bay, Pasay City.

After a slow start in the tournament, Kurt Aguilar and Abai Llenos’ first Battle of Katipunan ended with a spectacular win to bring them to their second victory in the league. The win today keeps them at sixth place, tied with University of the East in the standings, with a slim chance for a final-four stint which is now completely dependent on the results of the following matches.

The rookies began the first set with a heated exchange of points. The Blue Eagles led by three points, 9-6, before UP fought back by coming up with consecutive markers. Ateneo held a slim one-point lead going into a technical timeout at 11-10. The Blue and White tightened their grip on the lead in the latter half of the first set. Llenos and Aguilar’s teamwork proved decisive as they helped one another rack up points to close out the set. The first set ended at 21-16 with a service error from UP’s Millete in favor of Ateneo.

Llenos and Aguilar seemed to be in control early on in the second set until UP produced a 3-0 run on the back of Millete winners to tie the set at 4 apiece. The two Ateneo rookies banded together once more and flaunted their improved floor defense, attacking prowess, and impressive blocks, to go on a crucial 8-0 run late in the set, 19-14. The Katipunan Derby ended with an error from UP’s offense at 21-15.

On Friday, October 5, the Blue and White will go up against the currently undefeated Far Eastern University (FEU). The game will take place in the same venue.  

Set Scores

Ateneo-UP: 21-16, 21-15