As the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Men’s Volleyball tournament enters its final stretch, this weekly series will assess the current state of the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team (AMVT) as they aim to uphold Final Four hopes in contention.
FLYING HIGH to begin the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Men’s Volleyball tournament, the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team (AMVT) finds itself at solo third in the standings.
The Blue Eagles went undefeated with a 2-0 record in their latest matchups against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons and Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, extending their winning streak to three, the longest active streak this season.
In a commanding three-set sweep over their Katipunan neighbors, veterans Amil Pacinio and Kennedy Batas led the offensive charge, tallying a combined total of 31 points. Their next match against the Soaring Falcons saw no drop-off, where Batas and Jian Salarzon kept the pressure on with 20 and 19 points, respectively, to secure another convincing win.
As the Blue Eagles look to finally end their three-season Final Four drought, The GUIDON Sports evaluates how the Blue and White have reached their current status while also highlighting what must be done to cement their position as a top contender.
Now or never
Gab: After a rocky first round that saw a sea of highs and lows, the AMVT has climbed its way up the ladder and earned the third seed as of writing. In the small second round sample size, the Blue Eagles have shown how much they have grown, building a winning culture centered around consistency and unity.
At the forefront of that consistency is Most Valuable Player frontrunner Batas. The outside hitter has been the premier scorer of the UAAP since day one, tallying a league best 152 spikes with a 46.77% success rate. The reliable veteran has continued to overwhelm every opposing team and has served as the engine for Ateneo’s deadly offense.
Batas is not the only Blue Eagle that has consistently paid dividends as Jettlee Gopio and Enzo Gutierrez have been key foundations in their team’s winning streak.
Gopio has thrived in his role this season, ranking third in the tournament in blocks with 23 rejections. Meanwhile, veteran setter Gutierrez has been a stable hand for Ateneo, ranking second in the overall ranking for best setter, accumulating 170 running sets and 625 still sets.
The combined contributions of Batas, Gopio, and Gutierrez have set a precedent for their entire team, as their steadiness has made it easier for the Katipunan-based squad to work in harmony. With these continued successes comes the question of what is next. What is left for the Blue Eagles to conquer on their quest for a Final Four berth?
In a set-up reminiscent of a movie script, what stands in front of Ateneo on their final push to end their postseason drought are the very teams that occupied the Final Four seats last season. Facing De La Salle University (DLSU), University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University (FEU), and National University (NU) in quick succession will be no small task for the Blue and White, who have accumulated a 1-3 record against these teams in the first round.
However, this is a different team from the one at the start of the season. These Blue Eagles have instilled an infectious confidence that will make any Ateneo fan optimistic for what lies ahead. Speaking on what I have seen in my time covering the AMVT, I firmly believe this unit still has the ability to reach an even higher level and channel the untapped potential that has always been there for the past couple of years.
With Ateneo set to have their most challenging stretch of the season, they must continue to work with the same synergy and passion that has carried them to the position they are in now. For the Blue Eagles and their postseason dreams, it is do or die, it is now or never.
Sharpening the aim
Mac: The Blue Eagles have concluded the first round with mixed results, garnering four wins and three losses. However, their two consecutive wins to open the second round and their current third-place standing show the beginning of some much-needed changes in the team if they look to contend against the likes of giants FEU and NU.
In particular, the game against UP showed an impressive sweep against the Fighting Maroons, not only through an overwhelming barrage of attacks but through precision, as the Blue Eagles were able to limit their errors to 17. With an already-dominant command of the taraflex with top four-level performances in digging, setting, receiving, spiking, blocking, and serving, a level of composure will surely elevate their gameplay to a whole other level.
No other player embodied this equanimity as much as last Saturday’s Player of the Game Pacinio, who showed up on all fronts during the Battle of Katipunan. Displaying his high-level skills in almost every category of the scoresheet, Pacinio showcased what it is like to be an all-around player, covering both offensive and defensive ends through 12 attacks, two kill blocks, three service aces, and four digs. Not to mention that Pacinio also currently stands at the top of the tournament’s servers with 16 total aces.
Ateneo’s display of a commanding victory in its second three-set sweep of the season is a testament to how they can adapt to their mistakes in the first round.
Nonetheless, there is still room for improvement to come as Ateneo’s match against AdU showed a lack of consistency, giving up 33 points through errors. Despite the explosive showings through a 19-point game, veteran Salarzon only won 17 of his total 41 spike attempts. With refinements of his technique, the mainstay can become an unstoppable force of nature to overwhelm the opposing team.
Moreover, Batas continued his merciless assault on the right wing as a top scorer in both games against UP and AdU. If there is anything guaranteed in this life, it is that the AMVT has a bulldozing trio of scorers in the likes of Pacinio, Salarzon, and Batas.
Sitting comfortably in the third seed, the Blue Eagles have shown their determination to reach the Final Four. With more attacking accuracy, the Vince Mangulabnan-coached unit can wreak havoc on the court against unsuspecting defenders.
A shot at redemption
Eury: Riding the high of back-to-back wins on the taraflex, the Blue Eagles now brace for another uphill battle: a redemption dance with the Green Spikers.
The first meeting between the two squads proved tough, as the Blue and White ultimately succumbed to costly errors and reception struggles in a four-set defeat. Now, with another chance to take down their archrivals, the Katipunan-based squad must prove that they have learned from their mistakes and are ready to turn the tides in their favor.
The Blue Eagles’ first-round loss was a game of missed opportunities. Despite building a six-point cushion at one point, the battle-tested squad let it slip away with a string of service errors, allowing their adversaries to claw back into the match. Struggles in reception also kept Ateneo from establishing the tempo they needed, forcing them to play catch-up with the DLSU camp instead.
To put more strain on their defense, looming large throughout the match was the unstoppable force that is Green Spiker Noel Kampton. Spearheading the Taft-based squad’s attack with a dominant 27-point performance, the outside hitter proved to be the biggest thorn in the Blue Eagles’ side.
To rewrite the script, the Blue and White must bring a cleaner, more disciplined game to the court. Limiting unforced errors, particularly from the service line, will be crucial in keeping the momentum on their side. On top of that, their service and reception game must be continuously refined to maintain their edge.
Fortunately, the squad wasted no time taking significant strides, consistently leading the league as the best serving squad with a 1.62 ace-per-set average, and now, the top receiving team with a 45.56% efficiency. Beyond their dominance in these areas, a closer look at their recent matches suggests their improved service accuracy. With fewer errors in their last two outings, the Blue Eagles appear to be sharpening their game at the line.
While veterans Batas, Salarzon, and Pacinio all put up strong numbers in the first encounter, the Blue Eagles will need an even more balanced attack to break through the Green Spikers’ defense. If the Katipunan-based squadron is hoping for different results this time around, finding new ways to keep the Green and White hitters in check will be a non-negotiable. Whether through stronger blocking or better floor coverage, defensive adjustments will be key if the Blue Eagles hope to swing the balance in their favor.
With redemption within reach, this highly-anticipated rematch will be a pivotal moment for the Blue and White as they inch closer to securing their spot in the race for postseason glory.
This week’s games:
Wednesday, April 2, 9:00 AM, vs. De La Salle University Green Spikers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Saturday, April 5, 9:00 AM, vs. University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Standings:
- FEU Tamaraws (9-1)
- NU Bulldogs (8-2)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (6-3)
- UST Golden Spikers (5-4)
- DLSU Green Spikers (5-4)
- UP Fighting Maroons (3-7)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (2-7)
- UE Red Warriors (0-10)
