THE ATENEO Blue Eagles took down their archrivals, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Men’s Volleyball Tournament in straight sets, 25-22, 25-20, 25-20, on Wednesday, March 27, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Tony Koyfman topped the scoring chart, tallying 22 points on 38 attacks. Ron Medalla supported the Ateneo offense with 14 points, three from the service line, while Chu Njigha earned himself 10 kills, two service aces, and two blocks. Egie Magadia put up 31 excellent sets and Manuel Sumanguid recorded 10 excellent digs coupled with 13 excellent receptions.

Chris Dumago was the sole player in double-digits for the Green Archers with 15 points. Behind him is Billie Anima who posted eight points, 10 excellent digs, and 23 excellent receptions while a trio of players, Kieffer Reyes, John Delos Reyes, and Geraint Bacon contributed five markers each.

The Katipunan-based squad fielded their usual starting unit consisting of Medalla, Koyfman, Njigha, Magadia, John Rivera, Gian Glorioso, and Sumanguid at the libero position. Ariel Morado, Kurt Aguilar, and Basti Cuerva had their chances to make an impact as substitutes.

The Blue Eagles had to battle their way to earn a 1-0 set lead as both squads were neck-and-neck throughout the opening set. Ateneo had the momentum in their favor when Glorioso completed a quick attack to force a timeout from the Green Archers, 21-19. Medalla then scored off the DLSU double block before Koyfman comfortably dispatched a single coverage block, sealing a 1-0 set lead, 25-22.

Ateneo was off to a fast start in the next set, taking an 8-5 advantage into the first technical timeout (TTO) as a Green Archers attack went beyond the line. Ateneo maintained a healthy lead, 16-11, heading into the second break through another Koyfman effort that beat a single block thrown to him by the Taft-based side. DLSU managed to claw their way back and trim their deficit to one, 18-17. However, Koyfman had other things in mind as he drew up three consecutive attacks to steady the Ateneo ship before Rivera claimed the set with a service ace, 25-20.

It was another hot start for the Blue Eagles in the third set as a double quick attack from Njigha and Koyman caught the Green Archers off-guard, giving Ateneo a seven-point lead by the first TTO, 8-1.

It was a professional performance thereafter from the boys from Loyola Heights as they made sure to preserve their lead over their archrivals down the stretch, 19-14. Njigha sealed the team’s sixth win with a quick play, 25-20.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles will look to avenge their first-round loss against reigning champions National University (NU) Bulldogs when they face them on Saturday, March 30, at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, in Pasay City.

Set Scores

Ateneo – DLSU: 25-22, 25-20, 25-20

Box Score

Ateneo: Koyfman 22, Medalla 14, Njigha 13, Rivera 7, Glorioso 5

DLSU: Dumago 15, Anima 8, Reyes 5, Delos Reyes 5, Bacon 5, Marco 1

Photo by Jason Mariano