After narrowly missing the Final Four in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team (AMVT) returns with deeper goals in mind. This season preview examines the Blue Eagles’ performance last season as well as their adjustments for Season 86.
IN THE UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament’s first season since the pandemic, the AMVT concluded the elimination round with a heartbreaking fifth-place finish, ending their almost decade-spanning playoff streak. Aiming to reclaim their playoff reputation, the Blue Eagles have recalibrated themselves during the offseason, determined to make a huge splash this time as challengers.
Primed to lift Ateneo back into championship contention, libero Lance De Castro returns to guide the Katipunan-based squad as captain of the Ateneo troops. Joining their skipper are veterans Kennedy Batas, Amil Pacinio Jr., and Jian Salarzon. Rookies Jan Mangulabnan and Cyrus De Guzman also enter the fray with an eagerness to leave an impression on the volleyball world. Completing the lineup is Head Coach Timmy Sto. Tomas—the tactician with clear championship aspirations for Ateneo.
With the Blue Eagles prepared to dive into the new season, here are three key elements fans should expect heading to the opening games this coming Saturday.
1. Growing past the pains
Rav: The statement that the Blue Eagles failed to clinch a Final Four berth in Season 85 inadequately portrays the Blue and White’s story. What is overlooked is the squad’s late-season surge that ended with a gut-wrenching neck-and-neck defeat at the hands of the reigning champions, the National University (NU) Bulldogs.
Additionally, there is more beyond the Blue and White’s 7-7 record on paper. Most of the losses came from an awkward transition phase characterized by unsettled team roles that plagued the first half of Ateneo’s run. Despite their admirable offensive performance, Ateneo periodically struggled on the other end with a dismal block success rate and a lack of composure, contributing to a crumbling defense during extended rallies. Such defensive mishaps resulted in a 2-4 record that required immediate remedy to prevent the team from collapsing further.
Nevertheless, the Blue Eagles eventually found their stride in the concluding match of their first round against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, routing their Katipunan rivals in just three sets. Led by Coach Timmy, the team then went on an impressive second-half campaign, defeating the likes of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws and arch-nemesis De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers.
A big reason for the Blue Eagles’ resurgence was De Castro’s impeccable play remedying previous defensive woes. The defensive superstar at one point racked up more than 50 pivotal digs in a span of three games, reinforcing Ateneo’s ground game like no other. Appearing to have patched up most of their weaknesses, Ateneo was on the precipice to pull off a monumental upset against the hitherto undefeated Bulldogs.
Unfortunately, despite Batas’s 32-point feat, the Blue Eagles fell to the frontrunners with NU’s Michaelo Buddin miraculously delivering back-to-back smashes to steal the final set, 25-23. Following the loss, the AMVT’s S85 run officially came to a close when FEU and DLSU won their respective matches to advance to the Final Four.
In retrospect, many of Ateneo’s players were new to the UAAP tournament due to COVID-19 cancellations, explaining some of the shakiness in their play. Painstakingly, the team also previously lost many of its key players, which left a gaping hole that had to be filled by young upstarts.
Head Coach Timmy echoed this idea in an interview by acknowledging the team’s inexperience in S85 when asked about his expectations for the early part of the incoming season. Now looking ahead, the Atenean tactician shared, “I am expecting that most of our players will get used to the UAAP environment [for this season].” He then later emphasized that once the players get a better feel of the UAAP experience, they can finally bring out their A-game.
Unquestionably, there is truth in the maestro’s sentiments. Despite key players such as setter Egie Magadia, middle blocker Charles Absin, and outside hitter Abai Llenos leaving, a groundwork has already been laid—one exposed to the rigors and challenges of elite collegiate volleyball.
2. Rewiring established connections
Jules: Examining the roster after three key losses and newfangled wings in the nest, the AMVT looks to the veterans to rewire their chemistry with the rest of the pack prior to the commencement of the new season. Among these seasoned players are UAAP S85 Best Libero and skipper De Castro who in his graduating year serves the Blue and White with impenetrable passion and steadfast determination. As the reliable back, the team captain shall become the anchor of the Ateneo defense throughout the season.
Turning over to their offensive strategy, Co-Captain Pacinio also leads the flock with unpredictable attacks alongside diagonal Salarzon and opposite Batas as dependable point converters for the team. Stimulating the roster’s offense, these reliable wingers await a barrage of kill points, all capable of producing double-digit scores on any given day. More than their prowess over the net, the offense shall aid in protecting the floor defense with De Castro, moving quickly on their feet to keep the ball afloat.
Conducting the hitters’ offensive output, setter James Licauco shall stand as the starting playmaker of the Blue Eagles after the exit of Magadia. Licauco has been procuring well-established connections with the wingers of the Katipunan-based squad throughout the preseason while also proving the grounded chemistry he has with middle blockers.
During the preseason, Jett Gopio also proved to be an effective middle blocker with robust quick attacks and intelligible block reads against the Philippine Army Troopers and D’ Navigators Iloilo, scoring 14 and 12 markers respectively, during the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
These veterans are tasked with guiding the rookie Eagles in their UAAP debut as new blood enters the Atenean roster. With a cut-short S82 run and a Final Four drought since then, the experienced players of the team yearn for retribution in the coming season.
3. Fortifying the backbone
Carmela: UAAP Season 86 awaits the fresh flock of Eagles as the AMVT introduces notable additions to anticipate in the upcoming season. The end of the key veterans’ stint from last year’s roster allows rookies to cement their name on the wall. Setters Lorenzo Gutierrez and Jam Mangulabnan, who have both left big impressions on their preseason plays at the V-League Collegiate, are expected to be vital playmakers for the team.
A forceful line of defense is also in order for the team who was able to haul in middle blockers Cyrus De Guzman and Ryan Daculan. De Guzman, who started out at Hunter College in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), also played for Volleyball League of America and continued his career as a member of the Philippine National Men’s Volleyball team. Moreover, former De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde athlete Daculan went over to the Katipunan side and made his debut as a starting lineup in the Spikers Turf last October 2023.
Lastly, all-rounder Aimar Okeke, who became a member of the AMVT during UAAP Season 83, also comes off as an intimidating presence, raising anticipation being the lead scorer in the 2023 Spikers Turf.
Carrying last year’s lessons, the Blue Eagles direct their aim toward a reinforced execution in the coming season. The Katipunan-based team has been honing their skills through exposure in off-season tournaments, alongside regular training. Through this, the athletes formed a tight-knit bond with one another, given the need to reform the foundation with new allies to consider. Ever-persevering, the men’s team kept their mindset straight, making last year’s campaign as a drive for restitution.
Unwavering and relentless, the AMVT aims to return to the UAAP as a rehabilitated unit. With the Blue Eagles’ stint yet to embark, the team shows promise as a well-oiled machine. The AMVT has proven their hunger to come out on top and is continuing to work their way to earn a championship seat. Basing off from their preseason crusade, the tenacious Eagles are off to prey on the game.
Upcoming games
Saturday, February 17, at 10:00 AM, vs. University of the East (UE) Red Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena
Saturday, February 24, at 12:00 PM, vs. National University (NU) Bulldogs at the Mall of Asia Arena
Last Season’s Elimination Round Standings (W-L)
- NU Bulldogs: 14-0
- UST Golden Spikers: 11-3
- FEU Tamaraws: 8-6
- DLSU Green Spikers: 8-6
- Ateneo Blue Eagles: 7-7
- UE Red Warriors: 5-9
- ADU Soaring Falcons: 2-12
- UP Fighting Maroons: 1-13
—
