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, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-19. The four-set showdown was held earlier today at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Today’s victory now gives the Blue Eagles a 4-4 standing in the tournament.
Taking advantage of the Red Warriors’ shaky start, the Blue Eagles opened the match with a 5-0 run, 6-1. Jian Salarzon kept the lead with well-placed tips from the left wing, but UE’s net defense quickly adjusted to Ateneo’s pace as they successfully tied the score, 9-9.
Despite commendable offensive efforts from the Blue and White, UE responded with vigor as their speedy cross-court kills created a three point-lead after the second technical timeout, 14-17. Ken Batas’ attempts at minimizing the point gap with hefty attacks from the right pin proved unsuccessful due to Ateneo’s floor defense faltering, 18-22 in favor of the Red Warriors. Soon after, a sharp attack from the Red Warriors was too much for Ateneo’s defenders, and UE claimed the set at 22-25.
The Blue Eagles kept the start of the second canto at constant deadlocks. Rising to the occasion, the left-handed outside hitter Amil Pacinio, secured a lead with powerful spikes and a service ace at 12-9. Despite communication lapses from Ateneo, Pacinio continued to contribute with off-the-block points while Batas widened the lead with aggressive kills, 21-17. Pacinio then destabilized the Red Warrior’s defense with two consecutive service aces, allowing Salarzon to take the set with a kill from the left wing at 25-20.
The crucial third canto was met with multiple errors from both teams, but the Red Warriors managed to secure a lead after denying Salarzon’s attack at the net, 10-12. UE continued to pressure the Blue and White with excellent block shutdowns to widen their lead by three points, 13-16.
Keeping their composure to avoid the UE wall, a quick attack by Chad Absin successfully leveled the score at 20-20. Salarzon then took advantage of the newfound momentum to take the lead at 22-20. Eager to get the upper hand, Batas went through the red blockade to bring Ateneo to set point, eventually claiming the third set with a merciless kill from the right, 25-22.
To begin the final set, Absin created a three-point advantage early in the final set by scoring from the service line, 7-4. Salarzon and Batas delivered with well-targeted spikes to keep the lead while UE’s attack errors widened it further, 15-12. Absin continued to power through with swift hits from the middle and sustained his successful attacks until the latter half of the set. Jett Gopio took the final kill for the Blue Eagles, securing the victory for Ateneo, 25-19.
The Blue Eagles look to create a winning streak for Ateneo as they face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Saturday, April 1, at 4:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Set Scores:
22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-19
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Salarzon – 21, Batas – 20, Absin – 13, Pacinio – 11, Gopio – 5, Llenos – 4, Sendon – 1
UE: Culabat – 18, Mangahis – 16, Josafat – 11, Andaya – 7, Torres – 5, Reyes – 3, Imperial – 1, Reyes – 1
