THE ATENEO Blue Eagles advance to the semifinals of the V-League Collegiate Challenge after defeating rival De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers in three straight sets, 25-23, 25-17, 27-25. The match was held earlier today, November 16, at Paco Arena in the City of Manila.
Initially, Ateneo lacked vital defense and communication that led DLSU to gain an eight point lead early on in Set 1, 3-11. The Green Spikers took advantage of Ateneo’s lacking reception with spikes that went off the hands of the blue blockade. Despite Abai Llenos’ attempts to capture the lead, momentum remained with the Green Spikers, 14-18.
Veteran setter Lawrence Magadia and opposite hitter Jeric Sendon were then substituted to bring the Blue Eagles out of the rut, resulting in Sendon’s successful attacks from the right wing. With Jett Gopio’s tricky service at the line and Lance De Castro’s impeccable defense, the Blue Eagles created a three-point run allowing their attackers to finish the set at 25-23.
In the next set, Ateneo successfully found the synergy they lacked. Their blocking was efficient, which allowed Kennedy Batas and Llenos to collect points for their team, 14-11. With the help of Gopio’s blocks and services that bore holes into DLSU’s defense, the Blue Eagles easily took Set 2, 25-17.
[2nd Set]
— Marit Samson (@Marit_TheGUIDON) November 16, 2022
Llenos finishes Set 2 for the Blue Eagles with a running attack from the middle.
Ateneo 25 DLSU 17#VLeaguePH pic.twitter.com/o2yFcgYvEe
DLSU then entered the third canto with a brand new sense of urgency and upped their playing speed for kills early in Set 3. Struggling to keep up, the Blue Eagles failed to cover well-placed drop balls from DLSU, 14-18. However, to turn the set around, Llenos stepped up with a combination of hefty kills from the wings and the backrow, solid blocks, and powerful serves.
Despite DLSU reaching set point first, the Blue Eagles rose to the challenge and tied the match at 24-24. In the final moments of the match, Llenos optimized his spiking prowess to bring his team to match point and eventually punched a ticket to the semifinals with a one-on-one monster block at 27-25.
When asked about their plans to prepare for the semifinals, Team Captain De Castro noted, “One more thing na kailangan i-improve namin is mental toughness as what coach said. Kanina we started low kaya natambakan kami, however we were able to close the set (One more thing that we need to improve on is our mental toughness, as what coach said. Earlier, we started low that’s there was a big gap in the score, however we were able to close the set).”
Top scorer Abai Llenos also shared, “Mindset ko talaga is mental toughness. While hindi pa umaabot ng 25 ‘yung score there’s a possibility that we could win the game. Aside from that, the rivalry. Andun ‘yung school pride namin na hindi kami magpapatalo (My mindset is really mental toughness. While the score has not reached 25, there’s a possibility that we could win the game. Aside from that, the rivalry. Our school pride is there that we will not lose to them).”
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will face the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers in the semifinals of the V-League Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Paco Arena.
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Llenos – 21 , Gopio – 9 , Batas – 8 , Absin – 7 , Sendon – 5, Blomstedt – 2, Licauco – 1
DLSU: Ronquillo – 18, Kampton – 12, De Jesus – 4, Espejo – 3, Rodriguez – 3, Del Pilar – 3 , Maglinao – 2,
Set Score:
Ateneo-DLSU: 25-23, 25-17, 27-25
