THE ATENEO Blue Eagles were bested by the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 12-21, 19-21, in their sixth match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 Men’s Beach Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, September 29, at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City. The loss puts the Blue Eagles’ record at 0-6.

The Blue and White duo of Abai Llenos and Kurt Aguilar started slow, struggling to contain the attacks of AdU’s Leo Miranda and Jesus Valdez, 2-5. Ateneo tried to respond with attacks down the line, but Miranda and Valdez’s excellent chemistry allowed them to put their lead out of reach. A smartly placed attack from Miranda took the set for Adamson, 21-12. 

Ateneo took off on a furious 7-0 run to start the second set, 9-5, fueled by down-the-line kills from Aguilar. AdU replied with a run of their own off of blocks and aces to snatch back the lead. The rest of the set featured a lot of back-and-forth play with Llenos and Valdez powering either side’s offense, 15-15. The Adamson duo just managed to steal the set in the end, 21-19, locking Ateneo in their losing spiral. 

The Blue Eagles hope to conclude their season with a win against the De La Salle University Green Archers at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, October 2, at the Sands at SM by the Bay in Pasay City. 

Set Scores: 

Ateneo-AdU: 12-21, 19-21