THE ATENEO Blue Eagles triumphed in their first game of the V-League Collegiate Challenge after a dominating four-set win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals (0-2), 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-16, earlier today at the Paco Arena in the City of Manila. This first win puts the team at 1-0 standing in the round-robin stage of the tournament.

Ateneo got off to a strong start in the opening set, relying on their quick attacks to set the pace early on. However, the Generals went ahead to notch six straight points, courtesy of Ivan Baldoza and Ervin Osabel, to take a slim lead, 12-8.

Attack errors on EAC’s side coupled with back-to-back points by wing spiker Amil Pacinio allowed the Blue Eagles to close the gap, 12-12. A back-and-forth affair characterized the latter end of the set, with the Generals’ defensive gambits giving them the edge to take the opening frame, 23-25.

Looking to bounce back, Ateneo leaned on sophomore stalwart Jian Salarzon as he powered through with four blocks in the second canto. The outside hitter’s monster blocks, combined with Ken Batas’ timely attacks early on, helped the Blue Eagles pull away to secure the set, 25-22.

Having found their momentum, the Blue and White played with more composure throughout the third set. Ateneo proceeded to go on an 8-1 run midway through the frame to take a sizable advantage, 19-14, courtesy of Jett Gopio. Meanwhile, powerful attacks from Batas and Jeric Sendon capped off the Blue Eagles’ stellar set, 25-22.

Service errors from both teams plagued the start of the fourth frame until Pacinio managed to take the lead with an off-the-block point, 9-8. Unable to escape Batas and his well-timed blocks and powerful kills, EAC was silenced to a 7-point deficit, 16-9. Gopio then notched a kill block to cement the momentum for Ateneo, 21-14.  Rookie setter Jan Mangulabnan and sophomore Lutrelle Taneo were fielded in for the first time and the duo took home the win after a clean cross-court kill that the Generals failed to return, 25-16.

Rookie setter and player of the game Enzo Gutierrez shared his thoughts on his first official match with the Blue Eagles. “It’s a totally different play-style from what I’m used to in America, we have a great group of guys, we all wanna win, and we worked really hard. It’s great to be around them and I’m just glad we came out with a win,” he added.

The Blue Eagles look to maintain their good form as they are set to face San Beda University Red Spikers on Wednesday, August 23, in the same venue at 2:00 PM. 

Box Scores: 

Ateneo: Salarzon – 18, Batas – 13, Pacinio – 13, Gopio – 10, Sendon – 5, Gutierrez – 2, Taneo – 1

EAC: Osabel – 14, Cabrera – 11, Salonga – 10, Baldoza – 5, Bornel – 5, Romero – 1

Set Score: 

Ateneo-EAC: 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-16