OFFENSIVE WOES plagued the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team in their straight-set loss against last year’s champions the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 19-25, 23-25, 16-25, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on March 16, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

NU’s ace Bryan Bagunas lead the scoreboard with 20 points, 18 of which were from spikes. Also scoring in double digits was his teammate Angelo Almendras who tallied 11 points and two blocks. Blue Eagle veteran Tony Koyfman marked seven points from seven spikes while Ron Medalla registered two service aces.

Head Coach Timothy Sto. Tomas started the usual troop composed of Koyfman, Medalla, Gian Glorioso, Chu Njigha, Egie Magadia, John Rivera, and Manuel Sumanguid as libero. Kurt Aguilar, Jobok Morado, and Abai Llenos would later see the spotlight early in the game while Basti Cuerva would come in as a pinch server.

It was a bit of a close start in the first set as NU’s attacks were countered by Koyfman and Rivera, but an inconsistent Medalla forced Coach Sto. Tomas to sub in Llenos early on and later place in Aguilar as well, 6-8. Bagunas would slowly takeover and increase the Bulldogs’ lead while Ateneo searched for answers to his battery of spikes. While Koyfman’s back rows were effective, his attacks from other parts of the court were inconsistent heading into the second technical timeout, 11-16. Not long after, Almendras got into rhythm and Bagunas would eventually give NU the set after a cross court kill, 19-25.

The second set was more tightly contested as Medalla and Rivera started landing their attacks again. It was Njigha who would deny NU middle blocker Kim Malabunga to give Ateneo their first lead before the first technical timeout, 8-7. NU’s blocking, however, would be the equalizer to the Loyola offensive and it was Bagunas again who would break the deadlock right before the second technical timeout, 12-16. Attack errors threw NU off track and after a service ace from Rivera, the set was tied at 22-22. The Bulldog’s staggering defense was the key factor as Almendras denied Medalla to secure the second set, 23-25.

In a do-or-die situation, the Blue Eagles went into the third set refueled. Medalla would shine, serving back-to-back aces to throw off the Bulldogs and give Ateneo the early lead before the first technical timeout, 8-4. However, NU embarked on a 5-0 run to break the lead courtesy of Almendras’s attacks and kill blocks. Njigha provided an offensive spark until Bagunas, together with teammate Madzlan Gampong, dismantled the Ateneo defense, 16-21. NU would not look back, converting match point after a spike from Rivera sailed outside, 16-25.

Despite the loss, Coach Sto. Tomas said that his team had what it took to takedown the collegiate powerhouse, but acknowledged the many gaps and opportunities in the game. Finishing at third in the first round, the Blue Eagles coach stressed the team’s ongoing goals of coming back from their losses. “This time around, the second round, we will try to get back on the teams we lost against,” he explained.

The second round schedule is yet to be decided as it will be based off the final standings for the first round.

Set Scores

Ateneo – NU: 19-25, 23-25, 16-25