THE ATENEO Men’s Volleyball Team (AMVT) (5-6) dropped their second game in a row, stumbling against the dominant National University Bulldogs, 22-25, 21-25, 19-25. The match was held earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena in the city of Pasay.
This loss further complicates the Blue Eagles’ Final Four chances in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament. Their closest competitors for the fourth and final spot in the semifinals, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, improved their record to 7-4 after beating the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons just before Ateneo’s bout against NU.
Spearheading the Blue Eagles even in the loss, Jian Salarzon and Kennedy Batas gathered a total of 29 points. Meanwhile, on the opposing team, Philippine National Team member Joshua Retamar orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets.
The Bulldogs began the opening set in their element, overwhelming the Blue Eagles with blocks and kills to get an early 3-1 advantage. Salarzon and Batas halted the game with their blocks and crosses to even the score, 5-5, but NU held the edge in momentum for the rest of the set. The standstill persisted until the Bulldogs capitalized on Ateneo’s inability to cover the blocks and mustered up a four-point advantage, 13-9.
Thriving from this momentum, the Sampaloc-based squad maintained their lead off Leo Aringo’s accurate attacks and Ateneo’s service errors, 21-18. NU then ultimately secured the opening set with Obede Mukada’s powerful shot, 25-22.
Moving on to the second set, the Blue and White were greeted by an even better opening performance from the Bulldogs, who clinched a 4-0 lead from Retamar’s pancake save. In retaliation, Ateneo’s Batas and Okeke staved off the Bulldog’s increasing control by spotting the weaknesses in their blocks, 6-10, although the deficit still remained.
Despite NU’s attempt to shut out the Blue Eagles, King Mangulabnan broke the Bulldogs’ focus by surprising them with a two-touch drop to cut the deficit to three, 7-10. In response to their setter’s efforts, the Katipunan-based squad closed the gap with Batas at the forefront of the assaults, 12-13. However, led by Aringo’s slamming spikes, the Bulldogs regained set control, claiming the second set, 25-21.
Attempting to bounce back from two deflating sets, the Blue and White responded with their best start yet, commanding a three-point advantage, 4-1. Even with the Bulldogs closing in points, the Blue Eagles continued to play their game which resulted in them sustaining the lead, 8-7. The Blue Eagles’ rule began to slip, however, after Michaelo Buddin and Mukaba exploded through their defense. With their wide range in attacks, sending swipes, straights, and drops along the Blue Eagles’ way, NU bursted into a five-point lead, 17-12. Regardless of Salarzon’s attempts to salvage another set for Ateneo, the Bulldogs would secure the victory with a sneaky tip, ending today’s match, 25-19.
Aiming to escape from this skid, the Blue Eagles hope to defeat the University of the East Red Warriors on Sunday, April 14, at 10:00 AM, at the same venue.
Box scores:
Ateneo (0): Salarzon – 15, Batas -14, Okeke – 6, Gopio – 4, Mangulabnan – 3, Pacinio – 2
NU (3): Taguibolos – 12, Almendras – 10, Mukaba – 9, Aringo – 9, Buddin – 7, Disquitado – 5, Retamar – 4
Set scores:
Ateneo (0)-NU (3): 22-25. 21-25, 19-25
Current Standings (W-L)
- FEU Tamaraws (9-1)
- NU Bulldogs (9-2)
- DLSU Green Spikers (7-3)
- UST Golden Spikers (7-4)
- Ateneo Blue Eagles (5-6)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (4-6)
- UE Red Warriors (1-9)
- UP Fighting Maroons (0-11)
