INAUGURATING THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, the Ateneo Blue Eagles triumphed over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in four stellar sets, 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-14.

The match occurred earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay. This win puts the Blue Eagles at a 1-0 record in the elimination round standings of the UAAP MVT.

Player of the Game Kennedy Batas led the Blue and White with 22 markers on 19 kills, two blocks, and an ace. Jian Salarzon also mustered 15 conversions on 12 attacks, two blocks, and an ace.

Opening the match, both the Blue Eagles and Red Warriors struggled to find momentum upon encountering deadlocks, until Ateneo gained their first lead, 4-3. A crescendo of errors then plagued the Sampaloc-based squad while a six-point burst from Ateneo widened the point gap, courtesy of wingers Batas and Aimar Okeke, 13-6. The Katipunan-based squad held momentum using tactical off-the-block points and calculated denials to create a nine-point contrast at the end of the first set, 25-16.

Upon entering the second canto, the Blue Eagles tussled to build on the first set win. The Red Warriors contained the Katipunan defenders, forcing an erroneous offensive front, 10-7. Afterward, an aggressive wing-centric lash out allowed the Blue and White to contain their opponent, yet faltered under the five-point advantage of the Red Warriors, 21-16. Despite a valiant recovery effort from Ateneo, a pair of errors from Batas and Okeke gave their foe the set, 22-25.

Overcoming a disrupted speed breaker, the third strophe commenced with distributed attacks from Salarzon and Batas and an ace from Jan Mangulabnan, 8-7. A statement smash by Batas to zone five re-established their dominance over the Red Warriors, 15-11. Later on, a reactive defensive effort led by libero Lance De Castro resulted in miscommunication on UE’s side of the court, pushing a seven-point cushion in favor of Ateneo, 21-14. Finally, a Cyrus De Guzman service ace cemented the lead, nabbing the set at 25-15.

Flowing into the fourth set, the error-prone Red Warriors created a five-point edge for the Ateneo, 8-3. Continuing to build momentum, a Batas cut shot and another De Guzman ace entrenched the Blue Eagles excellent connection, 16-8. Ryan Daculan then proved effective on block touches, with Mangulabnan eventually concluding the match with an ace, 25-14.

Determined to continue their good form, the Ateneo Blue Eagles must now face the S85 champions National University Bulldogs on Saturday, February 24, at 12:00 PM in the same venue.

Box scores:

Ateneo (3): Batas – 22, Salarzon – 15, Okeke – 11, De Guzman – 11, Daculan – 5, Mangulabnan – 3

UE (1): Pozas – 13, Mangahis – 8, Reyes – 8, Defeo – 7, Aligayon – 4, Maglay – 2, Maralit – 1 

Set scores: Ateneo (3)-UE (1): 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-14