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 bolder and better. This weekly series will analyze the state of the Blue Eagles as they strive for a deeper run this time around.
NEARING THE end of the second round of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, the AMVT currently holds a 6-6 win-loss record and stands in fifth place. The Blue Eagles succumbed to the National University (NU) Bulldogs in straight sets on April 10 but quickly redeemed themselves against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in four sets last April 14.
As the Blue and White seek a spot in the Final Four, The GUIDON Sports examines the AMVT’s performance during these games, specifically accounting for their strengths and points for improvement.
1. Gearing up for combat
Caitlin: As expected of the defending champions, the Bulldogs left nothing to chance in their second-round bout against the Blue Eagles. NU currently sits as the best blocking team, second-best in spiking and receiving, and third-best in setting. Clearly a powerhouse pack, the Bulldogs excelled in both the defensive and attacking departments to complete their straight-sets sweep over Ateneo this season. Leading the charge was reigning Best Setter Joshua Retamar, whose impressive playmaking rhythm and acuity guaranteed that NU stayed one step ahead of the Blue Eagles, despite the latter’s efforts to conduct plays of their own.
The question that Ateneo has yet to answer is: how must they effectively neutralize juggernaut teams such as NU and their upcoming opponent, the De La Salle University Green Spikers in order to keep themselves in the Final Four race?
This match revealed that the Blue Eagles can largely benefit from putting their opponents under siege at the net, subduing their foe with both a towering fortress, and a more aggressive attacking unit. As the second-best digging team, Ateneo’s strengths undoubtedly lie in floor defense. With stakes rising, however, the boys in blue must find a way to stay reactive on the blocks to transform it into an offensive tool, while complementing this with powerful and varied attacks.
Ateneo houses the second and third-best scorers in the league in Ken Batas and Jian Salarzon, who have amassed a total of 193 and 177 points respectively. The duo’s consistency all season long is proof that Ateneo holds the firepower needed to keep themselves in the upper echelon of the standings, and they need only a well-guarded net and quicker transitions to increase their attacking efficiency. With this, the team can execute a blitz akin to the Bulldogs’ tactic last April 10, generating point runs while simultaneously building the necessary momentum crucial for securing set and match victories.
To reach a semifinal scenario, Ateneo cannot solely rely on their excellent floor defense spearheaded by reigning Best Libero Lance De Castro. Their upcoming battle against their Taft rivals will be the perfect opportunity to showcase their talented frontline of attackers and blockers to ultimately contain DLSU’s vigor.
2. Defying all odds
Jules: In the Men’s Volleyball Tournament, each game of the AMVT is a pivotal match that determines the possibilities of their entrance into the final round. Every opponent has shown their capabilities to snatch at least a set from the Blue Eagles, much like the UE Red Warriors in their second-round contest last Sunday.
Mirroring their first-round encounter, the Blue and White conceded the second set to the Red Warriors, haunted by their opponents’ immediately establishing a large lead. This then forces setter King Mangulabnan to administer quicker plays that instead produce errors or block outs, therefore cultivating internalized frustrations that the Blue Eagles struggle to get past.
However, the Blue Eagles have been variating their offense, particularly with unpredictable approaches and wrist action from the wingers. Off-system plays have proven to work towards the Blue and White’s liking while also utilizing the Warriors’ unstable net and floor defense. As UE marks the middle blockers, this opens numerous avenues for backcourt attempts, allowing Salarzon and Aimar Okeke to pound the pavement.
Moreover, heavy serves have assisted Ateneo in gaining service aces, totaling eight in their outing against the Red Warriors. Stuff blocks have also commanded their court dominance, accumulating 10 denials throughout their latest contest. Replicating these numbers shall aid the Ateneo in their remaining must-win games, further destabilizing their opponent’s defense.
Much like the hashtag #FearNoOneAteneo on X, the Blue Eagles must become fearless as their upcoming games are against teams they lost to in the first round. Conquering frustrations and minimizing errors shall dictate the victor of their matchups, with consistent blocking and serving spelling the difference in the Blue and White’s approach. Addressing lapses, capitalizing on offense, and defying all odds are all it takes for the Ateneo to capture the last coveted Final Four spot.
Upcoming Games:
Sunday, April 21, 12:00 PM, vs. De La Salle University Green Spikers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Wednesday, April 24, 10:00 AM, vs. Adamson University Soaring Falcons at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Current Standings:
- FEU Tamaraws (12-1)
- DLSU Green Spikers (10-3)
- NU Bulldogs (9-3)
- UST Golden Spikers (7-5)
- Ateneo Blue Eagles (6-6)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (4-9)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-12)
- UE Red Warriors (1-11)
