THE ATENEO Men’s Volleyball Team concluded their preseason campaign with a heartbreaking defeat against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas, 22-25, 25-15, 25-22, 16-25, 13-15. The five-set thriller took place earlier today at the Paco Arena in the City of Manila.
This result caps off the Blue Eagles’ preseason stint at a 1-6 win-loss record in the men’s division of the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge.
Spearheading for the side of the Blue and White, Jeric Sendon overwhelmed Perpetual’s defense with his speed, totaling 18 points during the match. Meanwhile, UPHSD’s Jefferson Marapoc dominated the court with an outstanding 23 points to his name.
Ateneo’s final game began with the two teams trading points in the opening set, 4-4, with rookie Kristofer Alejos’ offensive presence shining through. With the Blue Eagles and Altas still exchanging kills, the momentum stayed tight midway through the set, 15-14.
Kennedy Batas stood out in the standstill, continuously shattering UPHSD’s defense with well-timed crosses, as Team Captain Lance De Castro held the backline. In the later stages of the opening frame, however, the Altas pulled ahead to win 25-22, courtesy of key attacks from Marapoc.
In contrast to the previous set, the Blue Eagles displayed a more aggressive and steady game to clinch a 7-3 advantage in the early phase of the second frame. Combined with Ejira Taluban’s impressive playmaking, Ateneo’s strong blocking helped the team establish a nine-point lead over Altas, 16-7. The Katipunan-based squad maintained their dominance for the rest of the set, as their wing spikers overpowered Perpetual’s floor coverage to secure a 25-15 set victory for Ateneo.
Sendon delivered an even more inspired performance in the third set, opening up for Salarzon to secure a four-point lead capped off with a service ace, 7-4. Service errors continued to plague the Las Piñas-based squad, which allowed Ateneo to assert their advantage, 15-11.
Although Perpetual eventually closed the gap against Ateneo, 23-21, the Blue and White showed offensive variation with their spikes and timely drops to claim the third set, 25-22.
With their backs against the wall, the Altas fired on all cylinders to kick off the fourth set, securing a 6-0 lead off their outstanding attacks. Despite Batas’ offensive efforts, Ateneo committed numerous errors, widening their deficit to a 7-14 scoreline. The reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champions sustained their dominance throughout the period to force a fifth and deciding set with a Kobe Tabuga drop, 25-16.
In the final set, UPHSD got off to an early three-point advantage, 5-8, with Marapoc leading the charge with precise kills. Undeterred by the deficit, the Blue Eagles executed a magnificent comeback to slightly close the gap at 9-11, courtesy of spikes from Batas.
The Altas swiftly responded with stern composure, eventually securing match point off a service error from Ateneo, 14-11. With the game on the line, Salarzon and Batas thrived off the pressure, dismantling Perpetual’s defensive efforts via their powerful attacks, 13-14. However, Marapoc ultimately ruled Ateneo’s efforts futile, closing the match with a spectacular cross against Karl Reyes to clinch the victory for Perpetual, 15-13.
With the Blue Eagles’ preseason stint at V-League coming to a definite close, the Loyola Heights-based squad seeks to return with vengeance next year for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 tournament.
Box scores:
Ateneo (2): Sendon – 18, Batas – 17, Salarzon – 14, Alejos – 10, Gutierrez – 2, Reyes – 5, Taluban – 1
UPHSD (3): Marapoc – 23, Tabuga – 14, Manaloto – 6, Andrade – 5, Rosos – 4, Gelogo – 3, Arrozado – 1, Castil – 1, Lituania – 1
Set scores:
Ateneo-UPHSD: 22-25, 25-15, 25-22, 16-25, 13-15
Current Standings (W-L):
- FEU Tamaraws (6-1)
- DLSU Green Spikers (5-1)
- UST Golden Spikers (5-2)
- NU Bulldogs (4-2)
- UPHSD Altas (3-4)
- CSJL Knights (2-5)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-6)
- EAC Generals (1-6)
