SHAKING OFF their first loss, the Ateneo Blue Eagles continue their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 stint with a win against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 22-25, 15-10. The five-set match was held earlier today at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Today’s victory now gives the Blue Eagles a 1-1 standing in the tournament.

Early in Set 1, both teams exchanged a share of attack errors and kept the game in constant deadlocks, 10-10. Fighting to take the lead, the Red Warriors took advantage of Ateneo blockers for off-the-block points. UE utilized combination plays from the right wing to gain momentum that put Ateneo defenders out of system, securing a three-point lead, 11-14. 

The Blue Eagles struggled to lock in attack points with UE’s efficient reception—all until the Red Warriors were plagued with attack errors on the transition, 17-16. Taking advantage of this, Ateneo attackers finished the set with offensive ease with opposite hitter Ken Batas taking the last point at 25-22.

[Set 1]

Ken Batas finishes the first set for the Blue Eagles with a clean strike down the court!

ADMU 25 UE 22@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/hlWXMkdmDh

— Lei Macaranas (@Lei_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

Ateneo continued to rattle the Red Warriors in Set 2 with Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio’s combined efforts to attack their opponents’ floor from all sides of the court. Disadvantaged by two, 8-6, UE’s first four points in the second canto were from the Blue Eagles’ own errors. It was only after the first technical timeout that the team picked up the pace and began challenging the Blue and White as both exchanged runs mid-set.

Faltering, the Blue Eagles allowed the Red Warriors to propel a 6-0 streak, courtesy of Kenneth Culabat and Lloyd Josafat’s scoring which gave their team a two-point cushion, 13-15. Ateneo then took back the lead with middle blocker Jett Gopio and Batas’ impressive plays at the net by firing up from the attack lines. Despite Culabat’s consistency for UE, the Blue Eagles claimed the set with a dominant 5-1 run, locked by rookie Chad Absin’s kill from the middle, 25-20.

[Set 2]

A sharp hit from Charles Absin secures the second set for the Blue Eagles!

ADMU 25 UE 20 @TheGUIDONSports #UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/378TwCkmN9

— Lei Macaranas (@Lei_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

The Red Warriors increased their attacking speed to welcome the third set with efficient spikes that Ateneo failed to cover for a 4-0 run. Unable to keep up, delayed blocking combined with lacking floor defense created a three-point lead for the Red Warriors, 5-11. 

Blue Eagle defenders continued to struggle for one good receive, but after the second technical timeout in UE’s favor, rookie blocker Jeric Sendon secured an emphatic monster block to pick up the pace for the Blue Eagles at 13-20.

Soon after, veteran spiker Abai Llenos denied UE attackers at the net and went for a cross-court kill to cut the lead to four points, 17-21. The Red Warriors continued to push for kills for the side-out, and despite Llenos’ efforts to catch the lead, UE attackers sustained their offense to take the set, 18-25.

[Set 3]

That’s another block point for Ateneo by Abai Llenos!

ADMU 16 UE 20 @TheGUIDONSports #UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/aL29KmPfww

— Lei Macaranas (@Lei_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

Forcing a fifth set, Red Warriors Josafat and John Andaya battered Ateneo’s floor with well-targeted kills to gain an early advantage, 5-4. The Blue Eagles continued to trail UE until Llenos’ offensive contributions gave the team improved flooring.

The Red Warriors then remained on top after the deadlock, 17-17. Kenneth Culabat from UE orchestrated a powerful 4-0 scoring all from the corner, which Andayat finished off by finding Ateneo’s hole at the center, 22-25.

[Set 4]

Ken Batas stalls UE’s rally for the fourth set point!

ADMU 21 UE 24 @TheGUIDONSports #UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/b6uFEyaqSh

— Lei Macaranas (@Lei_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

The Blue Eagles claimed the momentum for the final set as Licauco utilized Gopio’s quick attacks at 6-6. Gopio’s tricky service at the net allowed Llenos to take advantage of UE’s misreceives to secure a four-point lead. Llenos then brought Ateneo to matchpoint with a cross-court kill, and Batas finished the match at 15-10. 

[Set 5]

Abai Llenos leads the Blue Eagles to match point!

ADMU 14 UE 9 @TheGUIDONSports #UAAPVolleyball pic.twitter.com/Kewids6lOl

— Lei Macaranas (@Lei_TheGUIDON) March 1, 2023

Setter James Licauco acknowledged the advantage of having veteran setter Egie Magadia to observe while he sits from the bench. “Watching how Kuya Egie moves, how relaxed he is, I think that helped me a lot. On the outside, makikita mo ‘yung blockers ng UE, which helped me decide saan ko ibibigay sets ko (You will see UE’s blockers, which helped me decide who to give my sets to),” he said.

The Blue Eagles look to add another win for Ateneo as they face their rivals, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers, on Sunday, March 5, at 5:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Set Scores: 

25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 22-25, 15-10

Box Scores:

Ateneo: Batas – 15, Llenos – 15, Salarzon – 15,  Gopio – 12, Pacinio – 10, Absin – 4, Licauco – 2, Sendon – 1

UE: Culabat – 20, Mangahis – 18, Torres – 15, Andaya – 12, Josafat – 11, Pozas – 1