DESPITE A show of athletic prowess on the V-League taraflex, the Ateneo Blue Eagles ran out of gas in a five-set thriller against the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 25-27, 25-16, 25-21, 25-27, 11-15. The game was held last night at Paco Arena in the City of Manila.
This loss puts the Blue Eagles at a 1-4 win-loss record to remain at the seventh spot in the preliminary round of the preseason tournament.
Ken Batas spearheaded the point tally for the Blue and White, contributing a total of 30 points in the five-set match. Following suit was Jian Salarzon who added 22 markers on the stat sheet.
The Blue Eagles opened the match with an aggressive attack front from Batas and Salarzon, allowing them to build an early momentum in the beginning of the set. Ateneo also showed its upper hand at the net as they already tallied four blocks by the middle of the opening frame, highlighted by Jettlee Gopio’s consecutive denials to establish a two-point lead, 15-13.
Further solidifying their offensive performance in the set, the Blue and White continued to bank on Salarzon’s power plays. However, despite being in front for a good duration of the set, the tail end of the canto was filled with defensive lapses from the Blue Eagles, causing their 23-19 lead to fizzle out. Despite Ateneo’s valiant effort to withstand NU’s aggressive attack front, the crucial plays of the extended set gave NU the first frame after a power tip from Mac Bandola, 25-27.
Reeling from the Bulldogs’ fierce comeback, the Blue Eagles strived to establish a more polished floor defense coming into the second set. After trailing by a slim margin, Gopio helped Ateneo take the driver’s seat with a monster block and a service ace, 9-8. Banking on their consistent net domination, the Blue Eagles went on playing steadily to maintain and extend their lead, ultimately taking the set after a service error from the Bulldogs, 25-16.
The third set challenged both teams to keep the ball alive with their equally aggressive offense. In the heat of the back and forth affair, Salarzon sent statement attacks from the left wing to give his unit a 7-5 cushion. Unperturbed by Ateneo’s increased aggression, Jeffe Gallego lifted NU back in front with a willful attack against Ateneo’s fortified walls, 9-8.
The Bulldogs remained firm as they nursed a three-point advantage following their consecutive crosscourt attacks. However, Salarzon came through once more and helped the Blue Eagles orchestrate a counter-run that gave them a 13-12 lead. Courtesy of their consistent blocking, the Blue Eagles were able to keep the Bulldogs at bay for the rest of the set to take a 2-1 set lead, 25-21.
With a chance to put NU away for good, the Katipunan-based squad further raised their intensity in the fourth. As both sides exhibited excellent offensive plays throughout the canto, Batas took over at the latter part of the set with his extensive wing play and service to inch Ateneo closer to an upset victory, 23-18.
On the brink of defeat, Bandola extended the pressure-packed set for NU as he saved his squad with his clutch time heroics on the offensive end, 26-25. With their excellent reception and accomplished combination play execution, the Bulldogs managed to force a deciding set after a solid block from Kharylle Parce, 27-25.
Staying composed despite the previous set’s outcome, the Blue Eagles fiercely jumped to a 5-1 lead after an error by the Bulldogs. However, disaster spelled yet again for Ateneo as their sloppy play led to NU storming back for a 6-all tie with a run capped off by an Obed Mukaba block. Following the Bulldogs’ scoring streak, Ateneo caught a momentary break after a service error from the other end, 7-7. Despite a few signs of life, the Blue Eagles failed to completely weather the Bulldogs’ momentum, as an eventual NU combination play shut the door on the Katipunan-based squad for good, 11-15.
Following their fourth consecutive loss, the Blue Eagles aim to get back on track against the University of Perpetual Help Altas next Wednesday, September 4, at 3:00 PM in the same venue.
