THE ATENEO Blue Eagles continued to struggle in the sand after losing in two sets against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 22-20 and 21-18, in their third match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Men’s Beach Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, September 25, at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City. Today’s defeat dropped the Blue Eagles’ record to 0-3. 

Kurt Aguilar sparked the offense for Ateneo by attacking the sideline. Errors from the UP duo of Nicolo Consuelo and Christian Pilogo provided a comfortable 8-3 lead for the Blue Eagles. After the first technical timeout (TTO), UP’s reserve Louis Gamban came in for Pilogo. Ateneo adjusted their floor defense, but could not contain the Fighting Maroons’ offense. Gamban finished the first set off the hands of Aguilar, 22-20.

The Blue Eagles sparked early in the second set with a 7-3 run. Aguilar’s skillful cross-court spikes and Zolo Ligot’s excellent reception allowed the Blue and White to pull away. However, UP found their bearings and pushed back with a 7-3 run of their own after the TTO. Ateneo struggled to keep the Fighting Maroons at bay the rest of the way. Gamban peppered the Ateneo defense with middle drop shots before stepping up to end the match with a lob to the corner, 21-18. 

The Blue Eagles look to grab their first win in their next matches against the University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University, at 1:20 PM and 8:40 PM, respectively, on Sunday, September 28, at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.

Set scores: 

Ateneo-UP: 20-22, 18-21