After narrowly missing the Final Four in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Men’s Volleyball Tournament (MVT), the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team (AMVT) returns with deeper goals in mind. This weekly series will analyze the state of the Blue Eagles as they strive for a deeper run this time around.
THIS SEASON, the Ateneo Blue Eagles have begun to cement their team connection as they currently sit on a 2-1 win-loss slate which ranks fifth in the Men’s Volleyball rankings of the UAAP. With three games now in the rearview, the Blue Eagles now march on as they head into the thick of the long season.
Kicking off the year with a strong start, the AMVT skillfully drubbed the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in four sets last February 17, but were outlasted in the following game against the defending champion National University (NU) Bulldogs last February 24, 0-3. However, the Blue and White successfully bounced back on February 28 after blanking the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in a convincing sweep.
1. Setting the attackers into motion
Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team
Carmela: With a need for restitution after wounding up in an unfortunate fifth-place finish in the 85th season of the UAAP, the AMVT finds themselves keen on a quest to reconstruct a well-oiled machine. As valuable players such as setter Egie Magadia, and outside hitter Abai Llenos have departed from the Blue Eagle nest, the need for an established whole has been vital for Ateneo’s vie for improvement. The Katipunan-based squad started their chemistry-building during their preseason league at the V-League and Spiker’s Turf, where they settled for fourth– and fifth-place finishes in the elimination rounds, respectively. Seeking a bigger tournament to conquer the Blue and White has yet to test their true rhythm and mettle as the off-season only served as an icebreaker to a longer expedition.
After months of establishing team rapport, the Blue Eagles have created a patterned approach of relying on their wing spikers for their offensive load. From the start of the season, outside hitter Jian Salarzon and opposite spiker Kennedy Batas have been responsible for manning the attacking department for Ateneo. Being two of Ateneo’s top scorers, they have made their presence known by leaving powerful blows on the opposition’s side of the court. Batas, who exerted command in their game against the UE Red Warriors with 22 markers off 19 kills, two blocks, and an ace, is known to overwhelm the competition with balls of fire from the opposite. Salarzon—who was hailed the player of the game in that contest with 16 attacks and two blocks—dominates the court with his slick ball placement to help AMVT unlock their offense. However, when the opposition utilizes their middle blockers, Ateneo’s defense is left overpowered.
In the AMVT’s game against the National University (NU) Bulldogs last February 24, the net defense employed by Nico Almendras and his squad became key to NU’s upper hand. Determined to sustain momentum from their opening game, Batas piloted the Blue and White with nine markers on seven kills from down-the-line hits and two blocks, alongside Salarzon and Aimar Okeke who ran up six conversions apiece from floor defense. However, despite the efforts of wing spikers Batas, Salarzon, and Okeke, NU’s fortified defensive front put the Ateneo offense in the dust.
As long as the team becomes consistent in maximizing their side of the court as well as executing their plays well, the men’s team shows promise and will be able to form an indispensable arm. With the aid of setters James Licauco and Jan Mangulabnan, a better offense distribution will allow the Blue and White to play freely around the court and orchestrate complex patterns to better utilize their attackers.
2. Activating the decoys
Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team
Jules: Three matches into the first round, the trifecta of Okeke, Salarzon, and Batas have amassed most of the Ateneo’s point conversions, but the squad’s lack of offensive variety becomes a handicap when the opposing team’s net defense has been fortified. Thus, the activation of the middle blockers is vital in increasing the team’s offensive variability.
Facing the NU Bulldogs, the Sampaloc-based squad marked the wing spikers for easy pickings, banking 10 blocks in their second game of the season. The powerful yet foreseeable approach of the Atenean hitters became a playground for the NU Bulldogs, narrating the rest of the match that led to a straight-set loss. Because of this, no one from the trio entered the double-digit scoring column, while middle blockers Daculan and Cyrus De Guzman tallied only two points and one point, respectively. Their presence was yet to be felt, but a different story was told in their matchups against the Red Warriors and Fighting Maroons.
Convertible hits from the middle courtesy of De Guzman awarded a win for the Blue and White against their Katipunan counterparts, while Daculan elicited the first victory of the AMVT in their inaugural match against UE with a fortified wall over the net. Both blockers notched in on quicks and running attacks to stump the UE and UP defenders, while 13 combined denials contained their foes to state their authority over the net. This proves that as long as the setters activate the middle blockers, the Ateneo can further expose the holes in their opponent’s defense.
The AMVT still has four games to tackle before closing the first round of eliminations in the UAAP S86 MVT, so the middle blockers must become palpable towers who are capable of both offensive outputs and defensive protection at the net. With the statistics above, the Blue Eagles are poised to utilize the middle blockers as unpredictable forces and can vary their attack by disguising them as decoys. To dismantle their foe’s court awareness, they can enable an opening for the wing spikers to demand retribution in the court as the Blue and White venture on their road to a Final Four seat.
3. Preserved strengths
Photo by UAAP Media Team
Caitlin: Known for their ability to scout and develop rising stars, Ateneo is home to Lance De Castro, who currently holds the title of best libero in the UAAP. An indispensable cog for Blue and White floor defense, the Ateneo senior is currently the third-best digger in the league with 25 digs and the second-best receiver in the league with 30 excellent service receptions through three games. In the contest against the Red Warriors, De Castro showcased his admirable court awareness and anticipation as he consistently provided vital coverage for Salarzon’s block touches. This gave more opportunities for smooth transition plays, allowing setter James Licauco to capitalize on Batas’s tough attacks from the right wing.
De Castro did not only shine through adept service reception, but the veteran also showcased his impressive reaction time in digging, especially observed in the match-up against the Fighting Maroons. Confidently taking on UP’s feisty offense, De Castro’s competence in containing loaded spikes from UP resulted in only Angelo Lagando earning double-digit points for the Diliman-based squad. Additionally, De Castro served as a vital piece in safeguarding Ateneo’s offensive rhythm, with heroic saves that not only sustained the rally but gave the Blue Eagles a morale boost to dominate the game.
De Castro’s performance so far will be for naught if not followed up well by the setter. As mentioned above, Ateneo’s former playmaker for the last two seasons was Magadia who left big shoes to fill in terms of setting consistency and variety. On that agenda is Licauco and rookie setter Mangulabnan.
In the matchup against UE, Licauco proved himself dependable for Batas in the right wing and Salarzon and Okeke in the back row. Successfully feeding his attackers in the first set, Licauco’s in-game decisions were efficient in destabilizing the Red Warriors’ floor defense. Toward the second set, however, UE adjusted to Ateneo’s diminished speed of play and Licauco’s sets were no longer synching with the attack line. Offering his support was Mangulabnan who then eventually closed out the match in favor of Ateneo. His gutsy playmaking prowess also earned him player of the game honors during the match against UP as he collected 17 excellent sets.
Despite the daunting task of rediscovering the team’s chemistry given the new line-up, the preserved collective strengths of De Castro, Licauco, and Mangulabnan in the non-scoring department lay the foundation for the team’s mission to reach the pinnacle.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, March 2, 12:00 PM, vs. De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Saturday, March 9, 10:00 AM, vs. University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Current Standings:
- FEU Tamaraws (3-0)
- UST Golden Spikers (2-1)
- NU Bulldogs (2-1)
- DLSU Green Spikers (2-1)
- Ateneo Blue Eagles (2-1)
- Adamson Soaring Falcons (1-2)
- UE Red Warriors (0-3)
- UP Fighting Maroons (0-3)
