The Ateneo Blue Eagles get boxed out of the VLeague Collegiate Challenge Finals after losing to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in four sets, 27-25, 17-25, 20-25, 16-25. The semifinals match was held earlier today at Paco Arena in the City of Manila.

Unlike their usual slow starts, the Ateneo Blue Eagles showed off aggressiveness in the beginning of Set 1. Team Captain and starting libero Lance de Castro led the team’s highly improved floor coverage. Although the set reached several deadlocks, Ateneo’s consistency with their solid blocks and sharp kills allowed them to take the extended first set at 27-25.

With both teams adjusting to each other’s plays, the second canto started with the Blue Eagles and Growling Tigers battling neck-and-neck. However, UST eventually dominated in the latter half of the set, taking a six-point advantage at 22-16.

Even with UST in the lead, the ever-reliable outside hitter Abai Llenos kept Ateneo afloat, also helped by Charles Absin’s towering blocks at the net. However, the Blue Eagles were still overpowered by UST, finally giving up their cause at 17-25.

The match then increased in intensity as the teams entered the third set. With heightened aggressiveness showcased on both sides, the clashing teams alternately took the score. However, with Ateneo falling short in adapting to UST’s change in offensive tempo, the Blue Eagles’ defense proved insufficient to UST’s overpowering attacks, 20-25.

Due to the Growling Tigers’ early 8-1 run at the start of the fourth set, the Blue and White struggled to bounce back from their previous set loss, with UST’s spikers continuing to dominate the offense. Thus, the fourth canto saw a series of rejected attacks from Ateneo and several holes in their defense.

However, Llenos was then able to unload relentless attacks, allowing his team to have a 3-0 run before the second technical timeout. Unfortunately, that was the last outburst they had before UST mercilessly pulled away and took the fourth set, 16-25.

The Blue Eagles will officially finish their VLeague Collegiate Challenge campaign as they once again face the UPHSD Altas to battle for third place on November 27, Sunday, at 5 PM in Paco Arena, Manila.

Box Scores: 

Ateneo: Batas – 15, Llenos – 14, Gopio – 8, Absin – 3, Sendon – 2, Licauco – 1, Blomstedt – 1

UST: Ybanez – 24, De Vega – 19, Colinares – 1, Dela Noche – 10, Flor – 7, Magpayo – 1, Senoron – 1, Prudenciado – 1

Set Score: 

Ateneo-UST: 27-25, 17-25, 20-25, 16-25