THE ATENEO-FUDGEE Bar Blue Eagles were defeated by the Cignal HD Spikers (CIG) in straight sets, 22-25, 18-25, 20-25 in the 2018 Spikers’ Turf tournament on Tuesday, November 20 at the Blue Eagle Gym, Quezon City.

Ateneo’s lineup was composed of usual starters Tony Koyfman, Chu Njigha, Gian Glorioso, John Rivera, Egie Magadia, and Sumang Sumanguid, while Kurt Aguilar earned a spot on the starting lineup as Ron Medalla instead came in as substitute due to an ankle sprain from the previous game.

The Cignal HD Spikers took control early on in the first set and entered the first TTO with a 8-5 lead after Blue Eagle Rookie Aguilar set his service long. Ateneo had to play catch-up with their opponents as former Blue Eagles Rex Intal, Ish Polvorosa, Josh Villanueva, and Isay Marasigan put the pressure on the Blue and White. Spurred by back-to-back aces from Glorioso, the Blue Eagles were able to tie the match at 16-all. The Cignal Spikers, however, showed their experience as they kept their composure to close out the set, 22-25.

The Blue Eagles entered the first TTO of the second set, 4-8, after Marasigan, the former Blue Eagle team captain, scored a down-the-line kill. While Cignal had the advantage all throughout the period, Ateneo was able to keep pace momentarily and did not let CIG’s lead balloon until the end of the set, as Marasigan found an opening and played a pinpoint serve to end the set, 18-25.

The veterans were much more dominant in the last frame of the match, but rookie mistakes such as miscommunication on the defensive end and net violations began to plague the Blue and White and allowed CIG to pull away at 4-9. Ateneo, however, put up a fight and caught pulled to within just two points, 11-13. Cignal answered back with a 3-0 run after a drop ball propelled them to the second TTO, 11-16. From then on, Ateneo had a difficult time keeping up with CIG as the match ended with a quick kill from Intal, 20-25.

Ron Medalla shared that he was nursing an ankle sprain and playing on painkillers, which is why he had difficulty adjusting on the court during the game. The veteran also emphasized the importance of the remaining ties and keeping a level head after the loss.

“Kakalimutan na namin yung nangyari sa game ngayon. Magpapakundisyon nalang kami and mag fofocus kami para sa game namin on Friday. For me, ‘di ko muna iisipin yung sakit at all out na muna kasi last na yun,” he said.  

(We will forget about the game today and continue conditioning ourselves and refocus ourselves for the game on Friday. For me, I will stop thinking about the pain first and go all out because that will be the last game.)

Ateneo-Fudgee Bar will be looking to bounce back at 3:00 PM on Friday, November 23, at the same venue, this time against the Philippine Air Force Agilas.

Set Scores: 22-25, 18-25, 20-25