THE ATENEO Blue Eagles failed to escape the National University (NU) Bulldogs in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament in straight sets, 22-25, 15-25, 17,25. The Blue Eagles’ second match of the first round occurred earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.

The loss places Ateneo at 1-1 in the Season 86 elimination round standings after their win over the University of the East last week.

Top scorer Kennedy Batas led the Blue and White’s rally with nine points off of seven kills and two denials at the net. Aimar Okeke and Jian Salarzon followed with six points apiece. On the other hand, NU’s Nico Almendras dominated the match with 18 points all on attacks, being hailed as the player of the game.

Starting off the tightrope set, Ateneo struggled to find their footing with error-prone offense. The Blue Eagles were also challenged on defense as the Bulldogs found openings on the Katipunan side of the court. Okeke managed to tie the set with an attack, 22-all, but miscalculations from the AMVT granted the Bulldogs the first set, 25-22.

Eager to reclaim themselves, the Blue and White opened the second canto with improved floor and net defense. Salarzon denied the Bulldogs’ entry into their side of the court, leading to a 5-1 Ateneo edge. Despite better positioning, Okeke’s hitting errors allowed NU to tie the game shortly after at 6-all. As the set progressed, the Blue Eagles struggled as the NU net defense contained their attack front. Despite Batas’s efforts to keep the Katipunan ball alive, the set ended with a 10-point margin in favor of the Sampaloc-based squad, 15-25.

Both squads continued their strife with an exchange of defensive conversions, reaching a 7-7 tie to start the third set. After an intense rally, Taguibolos overpowered the Ateneo blockers, attaining a 3-point lead for the Bulldogs, 11-8. As the tug of war between the two squads continued, a combination play by the Blue and White allowed Okeke to attack and close the gap to a point, 11-12.

Despite efforts by Salarzon and Okeke, Almendras overthrew the Blue Eagles with consecutive attacks to sustain command for NU, 18-15. With an error by Salarzon, NU prevailed with their defense as the final set ended at 25-17 at the expense of Ateneo.

Determined to get back on their feet, the Blue Eagles will face their Katipunan counterparts, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons next Wednesday, February 28 at 12:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Box scores:

Ateneo (0): Batas – 9, Salarzon – 6, Okeke – 6, Ryan Daculan – 2, Cyrus De Guzman – 1

NU (3): Almendras – 18, Disquitado – 17, Leo Aringo – 11, Taguibolos – 8, Obed Mukaba – 6, Joshua Retamar – 2

Set scores: 

Ateneo (0) – NU (3): 22-25, 15-25, 17-25

Current Standings

1. UST Golden Spikers (2-0)
2. FEU Tamaraws (2-0)
3. DLSU Green Spikers (1-1)
4. NU Bulldogs (1-1)
5. AdU Soaring Falcons (1-1)
6. Ateneo Blue Eagles (1-1)
7. UE Red Warriors (0-2)
8. UP Fighting Maroons (0-2)