THE ATENEO Men’s and Women’s Beach Volleyball Teams finished the Battle of Katipunan with varying outcomes on the third day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Beach Volleyball Tournament.

The Women’s Team remain 8th in the standings as they lost their lone match against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, while the Men’s Team continue their winning streak as they came out victorious against the same university. 

In the women’s division, the duo of Pia Ildefonso and Yssa Nisperos struggled to keep up against their Diliman counterparts. The Ildefonso-Nisperos pair incurred another loss, as they were swept by the Fighting Maroons, 12-21, 14-21. 

Over in the men’s division, Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio took charge with a combination of powerful kills and persevering defense. The tandem defeated the Fighting Maroons in straight sets, 21-17, 21-8.  

When asked about his thoughts on his team’s performance so far, Rookie Jian Salarzon shared, “Binibigay namin ‘yung best namin every game. First time ko mag-beach [volleyball] so na-pressure ako sa laro, ‘tas UAAP agad, pero kakayanin namin. If kaya namin mag-champion gagawin namin.”

(We give our best in every game. It’s my first time playing beach [volleyball] so I’m pressured, and it’s also straight to the UAAP, but we’ll manage. If we can be the champions, we’ll do it.) 

The next few games for both the Men’s and Women’s Teams will be held on Saturday, November 26, at Sands SM by the Bay in Pasay City. The Women’s Team looks to redeem their series of losses in their matches against the Adamson University Lady Falcons at 10:40 AM and the University of the East Red Warriors at 3:20 PM. The Men’s Team is up against the De La Salle University Green Spikers at 8:00 AM and the National University Bulldogs at 9:20 AM.

Set Scores:

Women’s Division

Ateneo-UP: 12-21, 14-21

Men’s Division 

Ateneo-UP: 21-17, 21-8