THE ATENEO Blue Eagles failed to take home the bronze medal in the V-League Collegiate Challenge after the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas defeated them in three sets, 21-25, 21-25, 20-25. The match was held earlier today at the Paco Arena in the City of Manila.

It was a back and forth exchange of points for the Blue Eagles and the Altas in the first set. Both teams showcased their excellent offensive line-up, which was combined with reliable reception. However, the Altas took the lead after the second half where Ateneo was unable to sustain their defense, allowing UPHSD to take the set with a series of kills, 21-25. 

The second set was filled with constant deadlocks until Setter James Licauco’s service ace allowed the Blue Eagles to catch a small lead at 16-13. However, UPHSD turned the set around after spotting Ateneo’s unmanned front row, taking advantage of holes in the defense with multiple drop balls that the Blue Eagles failed to cover. Despite veteran Open Hitter Abai Llenos’ efforts to catch the lead, UPHSD powered through with well-placed attacks to finish the set at 21-25. 

Opposite Hitter Ken Batas tried to lift the spirits of the Blue Eagles in Set 3 with powerful spikes, but the Altas maintained their momentum with an unwavering blockade to shut him out. The Blue Eagles were under the mercy of speedy kills from the Altas, and a lack of solid defense is what ultimately cost them the match at 20-25.

Despite their defeat for the bronze medal match, Head Coach Timmy Sto. Tomas shares that he is generally happy with the team’s performance for this pre-season tournament. 

“Despite having our main starters skip the tournament, we’re still lucky that we were able to reach this stage. Everyone stepped up. Compared to our previous tournament, the Spikers Turf, the players showed so much improvement so I’m very happy with the whole outcome,” he said. 

Team Captain Lance De Castro also notes that this is just the start for the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball team. “We are a team that’s progressing, and we’re not gonna stop with what we’ve achieved [so far], and I’m sure we’re on to greater heights.”

Set Scores:

Ateneo-UPHSD: 21-25, 21-25, 20-25

Box Scores: 

Ateneo: Llenos – 14, Batas -12, Absin – 7, Sendon – 5, Blomstedt – 3, Licauco – 1

UPHSD: Ramirez – 22, Andrade – 13, Austria – 10, Mateo – 6, Rosos – 4, Medalla- 1 , Enarciso – 1