As the second elimination round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Volleyball Tournament comes to a close, these weekly takeaways will assess the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team’s (AMVT) performance in their previous bouts.
FROM THE beginning of the season, the mission was clear for the AMVT: end a seven-year Final Four drought. Twelve games in, the Blue Eagles have now achieved the dream that has always eluded them.
Entering last week’s games, the Blue and White were in a precarious scenario, tied at fourth place with the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers. Unfazed by the pressure, Ateneo clawed for a gutsy five-set victory against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. The AMVT then played their best volleyball of the season in a sweep over DLSU to establish a two-game separation from their rivals in the standings.
Following DLSU’s defeat to the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors yesterday, Ateneo has officially clinched a spot in the Final Four.
With Ateneo set to play two more games against UE and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, the only thing left to be decided is the seedings in the semifinals. Defeating both teams opens the door for a third-place finish if the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers lose their last two games against UP and National University. On the other hand, winning only one game or losing both will situate Ateneo in fourth place at the end of the elimination round.
Regardless of where they finish in the standings, the Blue Eagles intend to leave it all on the line in their continued quest for glory. As the AMVT prepares for the final week of the second round, here are two takeaways to help the team sustain momentum.
Stars align
Carmela: At the heart of a team destined to soar is a leader who never lost faith.
For several years, libero Lance De Castro has dedicated his blood, sweat, and tears to the AMVT. Being a part of the roster since pre-pandemic, Ateneo’s mainstay gradually proved himself to be a key player in sparking life into his flock, exemplified by his performance in their last game against DLSU.
During their pursuit of a straight-set dominance, the Blue Eagles encountered difficulty as the Green Spikers refused to go down without a fight. With this, a power struggle on defense occurred in the third set as DLSU attempted to disrupt AMVT’s momentum through Eugene Gloria and Uriel Mendoza’s forcible attacks. However, De Castro made a crucial save that reinvigorated his team’s spirits, allowing them to claim the win shortly after.
Recalling the AMVT’s previous seasons, De Castro has always possessed a tireless attitude toward volleyball. For instance, Team Captain De Castro took a game-shifting dig that was crucial in their reverse sweep over the UE Red Warriors last Season 87, allowing the Blue Eagles to close out the season with heads held high. Such performance demonstrated De Castro’s capability to revitalize his team’s drive even when they were struggling to overcome the woes of dropping last year’s Final Four bid.
Aside from his exceptional performance as one of the league’s best diggers, De Castro’s presence is most felt as a leader on and off the court. In his care, the AMVT operated under a mentor with intention. De Castro set an example on how to be an effective communicator by maintaining close relationships with his teammates. Moreover, the love De Castro has for his team is evident in his decision to return and play for Ateneo despite other opportunities being offered to him. In the end, this unflagging devotion to the Ateneo community bore fruit.
At long last, the AMVT has returned to the Final Four. If there is anything that can be learned from De Castro’s example, it is that unceasing faith is the foundation of the future that the Blue and White faithful desire. As the Blue Eagles enter a critical stage of their stint, may they carry this same passion that has allowed them to consistently grow all of these years. Especially with De Castro, Amil Pacinio, Ken Batas, Brian Castro, and Anjo Almadro leaving the nest, the most fitting send-off for these seniors is a well-deserved podium finish.
Keys to the future, weapons of the present
Ravi: Behind every core of seasoned veterans is a promising batch of prodigies eager to learn and hungry for experience. Throughout the season, Head Coach Vince Mangulabnan has not shied away from digging deep into his bench—a strategy starting to pay off in the latter stretch of their campaign.
Opposite spiker Miguel Yu has emerged as a sophomore thriving under Mangulabnan’s trust. Getting his first start in the UAAP game versus UP, Yu rose to the occasion with a season-high performance, scoring eight points off seven attacks and a block. Embracing the pressure, the 20-year-old underscored the importance of mental toughness in delivering whatever is asked of him.
In the same game, backup setter Eijra Taluban stepped into the spotlight when Enzo Gutierrez exited in the fifth set due to cramps. Despite playing without their starting setter, Taluban proved that he can hold down the Blue Eagle fort during intense exchanges. The junior tallied seven excellent sets and sent the final service ace to seal the victory.
Meanwhile, it was rookie Paolo Medino who Mangulabnan trusted when Ateneo was struggling against DLSU in the second set. Instead of crumbling under the pressure, the outside spiker executed a crucial dig and an ace that helped Ateneo complete a second-set comeback.
Although their youth can cause occasional errors, the trio is starting to develop confidence as the games progress. This sets an example for the rest of the bench to emulate if they wish to make the most out of the opportunities given to them. In a season where Ateneo’s rotation seems to vary per game due to concerns with Batas and Aimar Okeke’s health, each Blue Eagle must stay ready to step up when called upon.
As uncertainties loom on which veterans will stay in the nest, these rising stars are showing signs that the program will remain steady in the coming years. Aside from being future assets, their continuous growth elevates the present team’s ceiling. With their rise as reliable off-the-bench contributors, Ateneo now boasts a deeper squad capable of relieving the burden from one another.
For the seniors, the postseason is a chance to finally realize the dream they have chased since stepping foot on the Loyola campus. For the younger players, it is a time to test their capabilities against the UAAP’s best. When these two goals converge, the AMVT’s newfound depth and versatility could be the edge that sets them apart from the league’s powerhouses.
Upcoming games:
Saturday, April 18, at 9:00 AM, vs. UE Red Warriors at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion
Wednesday, April 22, at 9:00 AM, vs. FEU Tamaraws at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Current Standings (W-L):
- FEU Tamaraws (11-1)**
- NU Bulldogs (10-2)*
- UST Golden Spikers (8-4)*
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (7-5)*
- DLSU Green Spikers (5-8) – e
- UP Fighting Maroons (3-10) – e
- AdU Soaring Falcons (3-10) – e
- UE Red Warriors (3-10) – e
**- clinched twice-to-beat advantage in Final Four
*- clinched Final Four berth
e – eliminated from Final Four contention
