THE ATENEO-FUDGEE Barr Blue Eagles bow to the undefeated National University (NU) Sta. Elena Nationals in three swift sets, 14-25, 16-25, 19-25, in the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in the City of Manila earlier today.

Concluding the tournament with their fifth loss, the Blue Eagles close their 2022 Spikers’ Turf stintent with a 1-5 record—good for sixth place out of seven teams.

Rookies Jian Salarzon and Kennedy Batas started for the Blue Eagles, chipping 10 and eight points, respectively. Despite the combined efforts from Ateneo’s young guns on both the offensive and defensive ends, these valiant showings were not enough to win a set against the Nationals.

On the opposing end, an all-around team performance from a mix of former national team members and young athletes led the Nationals to nip a still-unblemished record in the tournament. Former national team setter Joshua Retamar notched five points and 13 excellent sets—connecting with outside hitters Michaelo Buddin and Angelo Nicolas Almendras—who each tallied 10 points to their names. 

The Blue Eagles struggled to find their footing early as they were contained to only four attack points during the first set due to the Nationals’ stifling defense. Although they started the second frame on a better note, the Blue and White gave up seven successive points to dig themselves into a 7-15 deficit. From there, the reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions were able to shut out Ateneo and end the second set in their favor, 25-16.

Nationals Coach Dante Alinsunurin’s troops finished the game with 13 blocks, compared to only three coming from the Blue Eagles. Unable to respond to the impressive defensive showing of NU, the Blue Eagles were overwhelmed by the iron wall provided by the Nationals’ blockers who closed out the third frame, 25-19.

With Ateneo Fudgee-Barr’s loss to the Nationals, they bid farewell to their Spikers’ Turf Open Conference campaign.

Box Scores:

Ateneo: Salarzon – 10, Batas – 8, Pacinio – 5, Absin – 2, Gopio – 1, Llenos – 1

NU Sta. Elena: Almendras – 10, Buddin – 10, Mukaba – 9, Diao – 6, Retamar – 5, Malinis – 4, Bello – 1, Ramones – 1

Set Scores: 

Ateneo – NU Sta. Elena: 14-25, 16-25, 19-25