IN A celebration of camaraderie among Jesuit educational institutions, the Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) 2025 commenced its opening day, with Ateneo de Manila University serving as the host school for this year’s iteration of the biennial tournament.
The ongoing four-day competition saw the participation of Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU), Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), and Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan (XU).
Moreover, the Blue Eagles entered the meet’s first day with dominance following statement victories in both 5-on-5 and 3×3 basketball, volleyball, futsal, and football. The fixtures were held earlier today at both the Ateneo Senior High School Formation and Learning Center Building and the Moro Lorenzo Field.
Women’s 3×3 Basketball vs AdZU
First to represent Loyola Heights was the Ateneo Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team, who took on the AdZU Azul Aguilas for their sole contest of the day. The Blue Eagles scored a decisive 22-7 victory over the visiting Ateneo de Zamboanga.
The lineup, consisting of Gracie Batongbakal, Phia Cruza, Lauren Lopez, and Kat Salgado, struggled early on the defensive end, finding themselves in a tight contest with their opponents, 4-3.
However, the Blue Eagles quickly responded by ramping up their aggression on offense, building up a commanding 12-3 lead courtesy of Batongbakal’s long range prowess and Cruza’s driving skills. Along with their stifling defense, Ateneo de Manila took advantage of their hot streak from beyond the arc to find separation from the Azul Aguilas.
With this newfound momentum, the Katipunan-based unit never looked back, ending the contest with a 10-4 run via heroics from Salgado and Cruza to seal their victory, 22-7.
Men’s Football vs AdNU
Just over a month removed from their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 stint, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team re-entered the pitch for their first game of two on JAM’s opening day. With little resistance, the Blue and White toppled the AdNU Golden Knights, 5-0, to claim their first victory of the inter-university meet.
In the heats of the opening minutes, a battle of possession occurred between the Blue Eagles and the Naga-based squad. Circling in several attempts to score, Jet Dela Cruz drew first blood at the 11th minute despite Ateneo de Naga’s equally aggressive defense front, 1-0. Sustaining composure throughout the first half, Joaquin Collo and Ranzo Aljama scored the succeeding goals at the 20th and 26th minute, respectively.
Reigning in confidence from the first half, the Katipunan-based team solidified their comfortable lead with Enrique Pastor and Dov Cariño’s goals at the 43rd and 50th minute, respectively, 5-0.
Women’s Volleyball vs AdNU
As the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team (AWVT) continue their preparations for the nearing UAAP Season 87 Volleyball Tournament this February, the ladies in Blue and White stepped onto the taraflex against the AdNU Golden Knights. In a display of complete dominance, Ateneo de Manila swept Ateneo de Naga in two sets, 25-7, 25-4.
To begin the opening set, veterans AC Miner and KC Cortez scored on an attack and an ace, respectively, to gain a 2-0 lead. The Blue Eagles then continued to claw through the Golden Knights’ net defense, as Rob Silla converted a quick hit to put the Blue and White up, 14-4.
Despite the Ateneo de Naga’s efforts to cut the deficit, Ysa Nisperos established the Katipunan-based squad’s prowess with a crosscourt kill, 21-7. Miner eventually ended the set in Ateneo de Manila’s favor on an attack from the right pin, 25-7.
In the next canto, the Blue Eagles copped a 7-0 run courtesy of Silla’s quicks and a Grydelle Matibag ace. Thea Selga and Liz Lomocso also saw minutes in the match, each scoring a point to extend their growing lead, 16-3.
Locating lapses in the Bagumbayan Sur-based squad’s floor defense, outside hitter Dawn Silos converted attacks from the left pin, 23-3. Lomocso put a tip over the Blue and Gold blockers to finally secure the victory, 25-4.
Women’s Volleyball vs XU
Following their triumph against the Golden Knights earlier in the day, the AWVT faced the XU Blue Crusaders for their final match of the afternoon. In another display of brilliance, Ateneo de Manila breezed past Xavier University in straight sets, 25-9, 25-12.
The first set commenced with consecutive errors from both teams until Cortez served aces to give the Blue Eagles a three-point cushion, 5-2. The Loyola Heights-based squad rode on their momentum upon entering the midpoint of the set, highlighted by Miner’s multiple offensive points, 10-6.
Blue Eagle rookie Alex Montoro also entered the fray to provide solid floor defense, while Silla surprised the Crusaders’ net defense with swift hits to bring their advantage to double digits, 20-8. Ateneo de Manila ultimately ruled over their Cagayan de Oro-based counterparts after a 5-0 outburst, as Miner scored on a down-the-line attack, 25-9.
Both squads then opened the second set to a 4-all deadlock which the Blue Eagles took advantage of thanks to Lomocso’s point production. With experience on the sands, Lomocso varied her offense with tip shots to gain the upper hand, 13-5.
Kristen Quimpo then plotted holes in the Crusaders’ floor defense, gaining points from the service line to extend their lead, 22-12. Banking on their formidable net defense, Selga concluded the match with a block to give the Blue Eagles their second overall win of the meet, 25-12.
Men’s Volleyball vs AdZU
Mirroring the AWVT, the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team (AMVT) tested out their new team dynamics prior to the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament, as they faced the AdZU Azul Aguilas for their only match on opening day. Following two sets of play, Ateneo de Manila prevailed over Ateneo de Zamboanga, 25-9, 25-19.
With the opening set underway, Blue Eagle Amil Pacinio embraced his new role as an opposite spiker with a kill and a block to open the floodgates for Ateneo de Manila, 2-0. Maintaining court control, fellow veterans Jian Salarzon and Jett Gopio contributed to the offensive action, delivering powerful attacks and quick hits by the midway point, 15-5.
An emerging key player in the roster was rookie Brian Castro, who converted a point from the middle to bring the Blue Eagles closer to set point, 20-7. A 5-1 run in favor of the Loyola Heights-based squad then guaranteed their first set triumph, 25-9.
Entering the next set, the Blue Eagles and Azul Aguilas leveled each other’s aggressive approach, opening with a 4-all deadlock. Shortly after, Ateneo de Manila managed to pull away by banking on errors from the side of Ateneo de Zamboanga, 10-6.
However, the Azul Aguilas kept within striking distance, utilizing placement shots and varying attacks to keep the Blue Eagles at bay. Despite the effort, a 5-1 AMVT run lifted the Katipunan-based squad past AdZU, with Salarzon’s service ace clinching the match, 25-19.
Men’s Basketball vs AdZU
The Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team was determined to start on the right foot as they represented the Blue Eagles in their lone match on opening day. Flexing their might, the Blue Eagles dominated the AdZU Azul Aguilas, 96-37. This iteration of the Blue Eagles consisted of Team Glory Be players alongside select players from their UAAP Season 87 lineup.
Despite a sluggish opening sequence, the Blue Eagles instantly recovered with an array of Kyle Gamber buckets to close the first quarter with a sizable lead, 20-11.
Keeping up the energy for the Blue Eagles in the second quarter was Femi Edu, who secured a putback layup and an and-one conversion to extend his team’s lead to 11, 28-17.
The Katipunan-based squad would feed off this momentum with contributions from Santi Sauler, Thirdy Ebdane, and Chance Carlton, ending on a buzzer-beating three from Carlton to put the Blue Eagles up 48-27 at the half.
In a similar fashion to the first two quarters, the Blue Eagles dominated the third canto via their long-range accuracy, as Marcus Nicolas, Kymani Ladi, and Gamber all drained shots from beyond the arc to further add to their lead, 77-31.
Capping off this one-sided victory, the Blue Eagles ended the contest on a 19-6 run to secure their first win of JAM 2025, 96-37.
Women’s Futsal vs AdZU
Despite their final result on the pitch in UAAP Season 87, the Ateneo Women’s Football Team aimed to translate their talent onto the indoor game in their opening match against Ateneo de Zamboanga.
Showing unrelenting grit throughout the 40 minutes of play, the Blue Eagles completely dominated the Azul Aguilas in a 10-1 blowout victory.
Spearheading the point tallies were Soleil Schroth and Angely Alferez, both delivering hat-tricks for Ateneo de Manila. Trailing closely behind was Chrisia Espiritu, whose athletic prowess notched a brace for the Blue Eagles. Down the stretch, Tootchie Eval’s crucial entry in the 30th minute led to another goal for the Blue and White.
The opening half witnessed tight defense from both sides of the court, leading to sparse attack attempts. However, as the Blue Eagles settled into rhythm, Rae Tolentino tallied her first goal in the 6th minute, 1-0. Solidifying their in-court chemistry, the Katipunan-based squad consequently tallied four more goals by the 17th minute to attain a comfortable 5-0 lead.
Fueled by their first half sweep, the Blue Eagles kept the upper hand with Alferez’s goal in the 21st minute. Followed by Schroth’s brace, Alferez’s headstrong demeanor, and Eval’s trick shot in the 37th minute, the Blue and White ultimately came away with a 10-1 win against AdZU.
Men’s Football vs XU
Following their successful opening match, Ateneo de Manila remained undefeated on their home turf with a 2-0 drubbing of the XU Crusaders.
Despite the blazing heat, the Blue Eagles bested the Crusaders with their defensive tactics, stifling Xavier in the first 10 minutes. Swiftly gaining their footing, Javier Bengson drew first blood for Ateneo at the 12th minute mark off a penalty kick, 1-0.
The Blue Eagles then maintained possession for the majority of the half, while Joaquin Collo delivered another goal for the Katipunan-based squad in the 22nd minute, 2-0.
After the halftime break, both teams aggressively stood their grounds—leaving either squad goal-less in the last 30 minutes. With both squads seemingly at a deadlock throughout the final half, the match closed with another win for the Blue Eagles, 2-0.
All participating Ateneo teams will continue their JAM 2025 campaigns tomorrow, January 29, starting 8:00 AM at the same venues as today’s festivities.