THE ATENEO Blue Spikers took another game from defending champions National University (NU) Bulldogs in four sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-27, 25-16, on Saturday, January 31, at the Fil Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
This victory puts the Blue Spikers at 8-2 in theelimination round standings, while the NU bulldogs stand at 7-3, where two oftheir losses were ceded to the Blue Spikers.
The starting six of the game included Josh Villanueva, Ysay Marasigan, Rex Intal, Ish Polvorosa, Marck Espejo and John Rivera.
The first two sets were in favor of the Blue Spikers as they fought closely with the Bulldogs, resulting to a pattern of draws and point advantages. Though the Blue Spikers committed service errors throughout the game, they still executed a better game compared to their first round matchup against the Bulldogs.
With the momentum on the side of Ateneo’s in the third set, many expected the Blue Spikers to take the game in the three straight sets. Unfortunately, as the Blue Spikers were leading at the score of 22-19, the Bulldogs took all the points from the Blue Spikers until it reached to a tie of 23-all. Although Espejo was able to set the match point for Ateneo, a service error surrendered a point to the opponent, followed by a series of errors. Ateneo dropped the set with the score of 25-27.
The Blue Spikers redeemed themselves in the fourth set as they started the game by earning a three-point advantage. Consistent players Esepejo, Marasigan, Intal and Villanueva brought up the score to a nine-point advantage at 16-7. The Blue Spikers continued to pile up their points untilthey took the game at a score of 25-16.
“We really prayed and we really prepared,” said Coach Oliver Almadro in a mix of English and Filipino. “We are happy for now, but the job is not yet done. We still have yet to polish some points.”
The Blue Spikers had a 21-point difference against the NU Bulldogs in total number of successful attacks. They also tallied 13 excellent block sand three service aces.
Espejo topped the team in scoring 26 points followed up by Marasigan with 16, Intal with 12 and Villanueva with 10. Polvorosa distributed the ball with 32 excellent sets while Marasigan notched three digs.
“I am proud of my seniors especially my libero, Tomie, and Marck has been maturing in the game,” exclaimed Almadro.
Their next game will be against the University of thePhilippines Fighting Maroons at 10 AM, Saturday, February 7, at the Fil Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Ateneo: Espejo – 26, Marasigan – 16, Intal – 12,Villanueva – 10, I. Rivera – 8, Polvorosa – 2
NU: Tolentino – 12, Inaudito – 9, Mangulabnan – 5, Torres– 5, Ismail – 5, Paglinawan – 3, Malabunga – 3, Capal – 1, Baysac – 1
