THE ATENEO Blue Eagles wrapped up their first-round campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on a crucial stature, falling victim to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in straight sets, 23-25, 22-25, 19-25. The Blue Eagles’ last match of the first round occurred earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
This loss situates Ateneo at 3-4 in the Season 86 elimination round standings after losing two straight matches.
Ateneo’s top scorer Jian Salarzon piloted the Blue and White’s rally with 15 conversions on 14 attacks. Amil Pacinio and Ken Batas also contributed, producing 11 points apiece for the Blue Eagles. Meanwhile, player of the game Martin Bungaoan collated 12 points for the Tamaraws.
During the opening frame, the Blue Eagles managed to gain momentum with Jett Gopio headlining the team through his net and court coverage, leading the Blue Eagles to a 5-3 edge. Salarzon and Batas kept up the high with down-the-line attacks that pushed the advantage to 7-4.
Despite Ateneo gaining incentive at the start of the canto, the Blue Eagles stumbled upon FEU’s Zhydryx Saavedra who was a force to be reckoned with after a monstrous block that tied the game at nine. Following Saavedra’s stirring performance, FEU’s net defense became key to the Tamaraw’s ascendance with Saavedra and Lirick Mendoza converting points for the team.
The Blue Eagles found themselves in a power struggle against the Tamaraws towards the end of the first set, however an error on the side of FEU allowed another deadlock at 20-all. Despite the Katipunan-based squad’s efforts to extend the game-opener, the set wound up at 23-25 at the expense of Ateneo.
The second canto left the Blue Eagles intimidated, as FEU’s attacks graced the Tamaraws at a six-point lead at 12-6. Pacinio attempted to stop Ateneo’s bleeding with running attacks and off-the-block hits, however, FEU used their net expertise to come out on top with an eight-point advantage, 19-11.
With Ateneo finding themselves at a crucial standing, Ryan Daculan stepped up with back-to-back attacks that closed the gap to 19-21. Batas’s hit managed to leave the Blue Eagles with a fighting chance at 21-22, wherein FEU would eventually overpower Ateneo, ending the set with an attack from Andrei Delicana, 22-25.
Hanging on a thread, Ateneo kept the game close for the third set with an exchange of blows against the Tamaraws, 10-10. However, Salarzon’s service error broke the streak and allowed FEU to regain momentum once again.
Reaching the tail end of the match, FEU’s reliable hitters Saavedra, Mendoza, and Martin Bugaoan converted points for the Tamaraws on varied attacks, extending FEU’s lead to 18-14. Eager to not leave without a fight, however, Batas and Salarzon forcibly threw off-the-block hits, but the Blue Eagles fell victim to Mendoza’s attacks that permitted FEU a 22-17 margin.
Salarzon’s service error gave the Tamaraws a match point and the game wrapped up at 25-22, in favor of FEU.
With an unquenchable thirst to restitute their ranking, the Blue Eagles are keen on putting off a fiercer performance on the second round of UAAP Season 86, with a schedule yet to be announced.
Box scores:
Ateneo (0): Salarzon – 15, Batas – 11, Pacinio – 11, Daculan – 9, Gutierrez – 5
FEU (3): Bungaoan – 12, Saavedra – 11, Mendoza – 10, Delicana – 8, Javelona – 8, Cacao – 6, Nadera – 2
Set scores:
Ateneo (0) – NU (3): 23-25, 22-25, 19-25
Current Standings
- FEU Tamaraws (6-1)
- DLSU Green Spikers (5-1)
- NU Bulldogs (5-2)
- UST Golden Spikers (4-3)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (3-4)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (3-4)
- UP Fighting Maroons (0-6)
- UE Red Warriors (0-6)
