THE ATENEO Blue Eagles outlasted the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas in the V-League Collegiate Challenge, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, earlier today at the Paco Arena in the City of Manila. This victory puts the team at a 4-0 win-loss standing in the round-robin stage of the tournament.
Courtesy of their quick attacks and excellent defense, the Altas got off to a quick start to open up a 3-1 lead. However, the Blue and White managed to keep within striking distance and eventually take a 14-10 advantage. Veteran Ken Batas served as the catalyst for Ateneo’s strong run towards the backend of the canto, securing the set off a down-the-line attack, 25-18.
Eager to bounce back, UPHSD leaned on their defensive gambits in order to keep the Blue Eagles at bay. The Altas found themselves with a comfortable lead, 11-7, right after a timeout by Ateneo. Michael Medalla and Kobe Tabuga were vital in Perpetual’s offense throughout the entire set.
Despite the Loyola-based squad forcing a deadlock midway through the second frame, 17-17, Perpetual were undeterred and were able to regain command of the set through Medalla’s quick attack and service ace. The Altas’ grit proved to be too much for the Blue Eagles, pulling away to level the match at one set apiece, 25-21.
Shifting gears, the Katipunan-based squad got off to a strong start in the third set, gaining a three-point cushion courtesy of a Pacinio ace and a well-placed drop ball by Jian Salarzon, 5-2. However, errors plagued both sides as the Altas took their first lead of the frame, 7-8. A back-and-forth affair ensued until a monster block by Salarzon and a drop ball by Batas gave Ateneo the opportunity to seal the set, 25-21.
Determined to upend the defending National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champions, the Blue Eagles bounced back from a 3-7 deficit early on in the final set with Salarzon’s timely blocks and Batas’ powerful attacks, 14-11. A running spike by Jett Gopio and a crucial block by Jeric Sendon propelled the Blue and White to their biggest lead of the canto, 21-15. Despite a late push by UPHSD stalwarts Tabuga and Medalla, consecutive points by Batas were enough to put away the Altas and keep the Blue Eagles unscathed in V-League, 25-21.
The Blue Eagles look to remain undefeated as they take on the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Most Valuable Player Josh Ybañez and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers on Sunday, September 10, at 4:00 PM in the same venue.
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Salarzon – 14, Batas – 21, Pacinio – 12, Gopio – 4, Sendon – 2, Gutierrez – 2, Mangulabnan – 1
UPHSD: Tabuga – 18, Medalla – 13, Marapoc – 10, Mateo – 7, Andare – 5, Rosos – 2, Arrozado – 1, Enarciso -1
Set Score:
Ateneo-UPHSD: 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21
