THE ATENEO Men’s Beach Volleyball Team conclude the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Beach Volleyball Tournament with an emphatic victory over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws. With the crucial win, the Blue Eagles take the bronze medal home. The battle for third place was held on November 29 in SM Sands by the Bay.

Both teams welcomed the first set with solid blocking and impressive reception. Neither obtained a comfortable lead as both teams refused to hold back on their offense. Towards the end, the Tamaraws gained the upper hand by taking advantage of Jian Salarzon’s fragile blocks for check balls, but the Blue Eagles kept their composure and successfully leveled the score at 22-22. After Salarzon took the lead with a kill, Team Captain Amil Pacinio finished the set with an off-tempo hit, 24-22.

[Set 1]

Team Captain Pacinio finishes the first set!

Ateneo 24 FEU 22#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/2fZLCPYDqk

— Caitlin Bernal (@Ayin_TheGUIDON) November 29, 2022

The efficient duo was unstoppable by the second canto. With Pacinio’s persevering defense and Salarzon’s sharp spikes, the tandem gained an easy lead at 16-11. Playing with urgency, FEU upped their defense to shrink the lead, but Salarzon continued to power through the Tamaraw blockers. With the momentum on their side, Pacinio towered over the net for the game-winning attack at 21-16.

[Set 2]

Pacinio wins it for the Blue Eagles!

Ateneo 21 FEU 14#UAAPBeachVolleyball pic.twitter.com/g0zL3RY3I3

— Caitlin Bernal (@Ayin_TheGUIDON) November 29, 2022

Veteran Amil Pacinio was ecstatic with the Blue Eagles clinching a podium finish in the tournament. “Last game na namin, so pinush talaga namin sarili namin. Sobrang happy ko kasi yung kasama ko, first time niya [to play beach volleyball] kaya trinabaho talaga namin ’to.” he said. (It’s our last game, so we really pushed ourselves. I’m so happy because it’s my teammate’s first time [to play beach volleyball], so we really worked hard for this.)

With this victory, the Blue Eagles rise above their previous fifth place finish in Season 82 and secure the coveted podium finish in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Beach Volleyball Tournament. After a stellar season where he contributed heavily to the team’s bronze medal finish, Jian Salarzon was awarded Rookie of the Year for Men’s Beach Volleyball.

Set Scores:

Ateneo-FEU: 24-22, 21-16