THE ATENEO Men’s and Women’s Beach Volleyball Teams end the first day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Beach Volleyball Tournament with straight-set defeats against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws and the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Sands. Both matches were held earlier today at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.
Women’s match vs. FEU
Roma Mae Doromal and Gena Hora marked their season debut with admirable chemistry on the sands. Up against FEU’s Melody Pons and Gerzel Petallo, the contest was at a constant deadlock, with no lead growing to more than two points. Both teams exchanged fiery aces and attacks, with Doromal’s defensive expertise serving as the backbone of the Ateneo tandem, 7-7.
Midway through the first set, Hora and Doromal were plagued with errors on the third touch, giving the Lady Tamaraws a three-point advantage, 15-18. Also showcasing her skill at the net, Doromal trimmed the FEU’s advantage with well-placed tips and speedy kills to the Lady Tamaraws’ unmanned corner, 19-19. Undaunted by the Ateneo skippers’ burst of energy, Petallo swiftly claimed the set for FEU with consecutive hits, besting Hora on the receive, 21-19.
Seeking to extend the match to a deciding set, Hora proved to be a challenge for the Lady Tamaraws in the second canto as she mounted an 8-0 run for the Blue and White, 8-3. The outdoor volleyball rookie displayed commendable spiking hustle and delivered tough serves at the deck that Petallo and Pons struggled to contain, 10-5. Heading into the game’s end, the Katipunan duo stayed on top until Petallo denied Doromal’s attempted kill, shifting the attacking momentum in FEU’s favor, 17-18. Petallo, who had been the outstanding force in today’s matchup, then played with outstanding offensive rhythm and court vision to rally a 3-1 run, sealing the match in the Lady Tamaraws’ favor, 21-18.
Doromal and Hora aim to catch their first win of the season tomorrow, November 18, Saturday, as they face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 10:00 AM and the Adamson University Lady Falcons at 5:45 PM. Both matches will still be held at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.
Men’s match vs. UST
Opening their Season 86 campaign against the defending champions, the Blue and White showed little resistance in the first set as the Tiger Sands took the frame by 10 points. Despite their relative experience and chemistry from the previous season, UST veteran Rancel Varga and rookie Alchie Gupiteo were simply too much for Amil Pacinio and Jian Salarzon. Through reactive blocking and steady defense, the Tiger Sands dominated the first set, 21-11.
Undeterred by the lopsided opener, Salarzon would prove to be the difference maker for the Loyola Heights-based squad as the reigning Rookie of the Year chipped in 12 points in the second set alone.
Leading the charge for the Blue and White, a speedy attack by the Atenean sophomore handed the Blue Eagles their first lead of the day, 3-2. With the España-based side suffering from errors on the attacking end, Ateneo quickly capitalized and managed to create some separation, 10-7. Shortly after, the Blue Eagles would notch their biggest lead off a Salarzon marker through the blockers, 14-10.
Despite the sizable advantage, the Blue and White failed to maintain their lead as a flurry of attacks and well-timed blocks by the young Gupiteo turned the tides in favor of the Tiger Sands, 19-16. Though Pacinio’s timely efforts managed to cut the deficit down to one, UST eventually snatched the game with an off-speed hit by Varga, 21-19.
Salarzon and Pacinio will look to bounce back tomorrow, November 18, Saturday, against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons at 7AM, and the National University Bulldogs at 9:15AM. Both matches will still be held at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.
Set Scores:
Women’s Division
Ateneo-FEU: 19-21, 18-21
Men’s Division
Ateneo-UST: 12-21, 18-21
