A SOLID all-around performance from the Ateneo Blue Eagles led them past the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in four sets, 25-20, 25-12, 27-29, 25-15, for their ninth win in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, April 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Tony Koyfman showcased his versatility with 12 spikes, four blocks, and a service ace. Ron Medalla racked up 12 attack points while Gian Glorioso filled up the stat sheet with seven attacks, coupled with a pair of blocks and aces. Manuel Sumanguid fulfilled his duties on defense with 18 excellent digs and 25 excellent receptions.

Angelu Alba carried the scoring load for UE with 11 points, 10 from attacks and a block. Supporting him was Geric Ortega who put up nine points while both Al-john Abalon and Clifford Inoferio chipped in seven markers.

The familiar faces of Koyfman, Medalla, Glorioso, Sumanguid, Chu Njigha, John Rivera, and Egie Magadia composed the starting unit of Coach Timothy Sto. Tomas’ side. Kurt Aguilar, Jasper Tan, Ariel Morado, Luis Ligot, Paulo Trinidad, Canciano Llenos, and Basti Cuerva all made cameos in the match.

The Blue Eagles quickly found their offensive rhythm, taking an 8-5 advantage into the first technical timeout (TTO) courtesy of Koyfman, Medalla and Glorioso’s spikes. UE leveled the match at 14-14 until unforced errors immediately gave momentum back to Ateneo. It was the Koyfman show after the second technical timeout as he tallied consecutive points before Medalla’s off the block kill gave a 1-0 set lead to the Blue and White, 25-20.

To start the second set, Njigha’s block on Inoferio fueled the aggressiveness of Ateneo. The Blue Eagles were in custody of a six-point lead in the first technical timeout, which ballooned to  16-5 byby the second TTO. Glorioso closed out the set with a quick play to claim a 2-0 set lead, 25-12.

The third set turned out to be tightly contested towards the end, with UE narrowly outlasting the Blue Eagles, 27-29. Ateneo was ahead by seven in the second TTO, 16-9, but several errors committed by the Blue and White brought the Red Warriors back into the picture. Walking on a tightrope, Njigha could have tied the third set at 28-apiece but his quick spike sailed over the line, handing the set to UE, 27-29.

The Katipunan-Katipunanbased side recovered   with a renewed intensity and it translated to an 8-2 advantage early on. The Blue Eagles built on the momentum they had and were able to extend the lead to 16-7 by the second technical timeout. The Blue and White took care of the comfortable margin to earn the victory with Ligot’s cross court kill, 25-15.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles will play their final game in the elimination round of the tourney against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons after the Holy Week break on Sunday, April 28, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Set scores

Ateneo-UE: 25-20, 25-12, 27-29, 25-15

Box scores

Ateneo: Koyfman 17, Medalla 12, Glorioso 11, Njigha 9, Rivera 9, Tan 2, Ligot 2, Magadia 1

UE: Alba 11, Ortega 9, Abalon 7, Inoferio 7, Josafat 6, Bonoan 3, Medina 1

Photo by Zoey Ignacio