With the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament fast approaching, this season preview assesses the current state of the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team (AMVT) as they aim to break into the Final Four for the first time since 2019.

ENTERING THE UAAP taraflex for the first time since April of last year, the AMVT looks to bank on their preseason encounters to fulfill their sole undertaking: standing atop the Season 87 summit. After failing to make the Final Four in the post-pandemic era, the Blue and White are fervent in pushing the boundaries of their chemistry and extracting their potential toward manifesting greatness.

In the previous season, the Blue Eagles tallied a 7-7 win-loss record at the end of the elimination round, falling to an underwhelming fifth-place finish. However, as they looked past the challenging route to the podium, the Loyola Heights-based squad shifted their losses into lessons—capitalizing on their preseason stints in hopes of showing promise in Season 87.

Stemming from their consecutive fallouts in the UAAP, the Blue and White commit to the coming series with fortitude as they seek to open Season 87 with renewed ardor.

A force to be reckoned with

Matthea: The AMVT faced a tough challenge at the early stages of their preseason, particularly in the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge. Unable to find their footing, the team returned to Katipunan with a disappointing 1-6 win-loss record. However, their slight slip in performance only became a catalyst for their growth despite nesting in a dismal spot in the standings.

Time and time again, Ateneo has proven that these struggles are not what define the Blue Eagles’ trajectory, as they are only driven to re-evaluate and refine their strategies heading into the next phases of their campaign. This January, the Katipunan-based team gained invaluable lessons on and off the court as they traveled to Japan to learn from one of the most technically proficient volleyball cultures in the world.

Japanese volleyball is renowned for its fast-paced play and exceptional teamwork— qualities that can only build on Ateneo’s adaptability on the court. By training with seasoned athletes from Osaka’s Kindai University, the Blue Eagles were exposed to a different style of play that emphasized quick transitions and sharp scoring.

Following their international experience, the AMVT made more notable strides weeks after during the 2025 Jesuit Athletic (JAM). Coming into the year with improved offensive coordination, Ateneo’s renewed team dynamics played a key role in rolling a more fluid performance. As such, the Blue Eagles have developed a more fine-tuned, tactically creative approach to the game that will definitely add to their strengths as a team.

These preseason tournaments, along with their rigorous training program, only solidifies the Blue and White’s position as a force to be reckoned with. The team’s journey in navigating struggle and reaching stardom marks their intent and unwavering resilience to win.

Moving forward, the AMVT is poised to carry this momentum into the upcoming UAAP season, with their eyes firmly planted on championship glory. The Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team has truly transformed, and their future looks brighter than ever.

Reloaded Blue Eagles 

Gabrielle: As the Blue Eagles exit their preseason undertakings with mixed results,  confident suits on the Blue and White’s fixtures entering UAAP Season 87  kept the Ateneo faith intact. Middle blockers Brian Castro and Karl Corrigedor, wingers Karl Reyes and Miguel Yu, and libero Christian Quijano are among the young bloods that can bridge the AMVT to successes.

Taking his energy and experience in collegiate volleyball, graduate student Castro re-enters the collegiate scene as a super rookie, displaying his brilliance as a dominant middle blocker for the Katipunan-based team. Bolstering the flock with his critical entry as libero, Quijano revitalizes the Blue Eagle territory with his defensive prowess.

Returning from his stellar showing on the sands, meanwhile, Beach Volleyball rookie Miguel Yu hopes to reignite the flames on the taraflex as an outside hitter. Furthermore,  solidifying the team chemistry with their aggressive attack fronts are opposite hitter Karl Reyes and middle blocker Karl Corregidor, who are both ready to take on new flights to contribute in sealing the Blue Eagle’s redemption arc in Season 87.

Eager to surpass expectations in their debut, the AMVT rookies have doubled-down on their preseason showing to dauntlessly display their commitment toward a podium comeback for the Blue and White. With their show of promise in the team so far, renewed vigor emanates in their reinventive touch on the team’s dynamics to corner high-pressing teams.

With this, as they don confidence from their preseason stints, the newest seeds of the squad can help dictate Ateneo’s decisive journey towards the UAAP summit.

Flight for vengeance

Jules: As the AMVT prides itself with overflowing talent and a promising future, the Blue and White also relies on the experience of veterans who have been with the team since Season 85. Among these players are wingers Jian Salarzon, Amil Pacinio, and Kennedy Batas, middle blocker Jett Gopio, and Team Captain Lance De Castro.

The Salarzon-Pacinio-Batas triumvirate has become the established mainstay for the Blue Eagles, all combining to be players who convert calculated offense into points. Not only that, the hitters also provide stable defense at the net and on the floor, which proves their proficiency on the court. Each of these Blue Eagles has even exhibited their capabilities to produce double-digit conversions, as evidenced by their second round matchup against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons last season.

While these three still have more playing years ahead of them, one cannot deny the undeniable dent that will be left by the AMVT’s graduating players. Thus, in what might be their one last dance for the Blue and White, these veterans in the Katipunan-based squad are determined to bring home a medal to Loyola Heights before the seniors conclude their collegiate careers.

Directing the frontend of the court, Gopio has remained stable guarding at the net—always prepared to provide much-needed block attempts and quick attacks. His 17-point performance off the bench during their Season 86 first round clash against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers is a testament that he is always ready to step up for the Blue Eagles.

Meanwhile, having announced his full commitment to play for the Blue and White in his final season, De Castro has shown why he is the central core of the AMVT. The skipper is the anchor that his teammates rely on, effectively communicating during timeouts and on the court.

While Gopio handles the frontend, De Castro manages the backend of the taraflex, handling the squad’s floor defense. Given that precision is key for liberos, the former UAAP best libero has exhibited tenacity when faced by adversity, being the top digger and top receiver after the first round of Season 86.

With these experiences, the AMVT is indeed no stranger to triumphant victories and troubling defeats, but in their flight for vengeance, the flock must rewrite their narrative to become tyrants on the court to reach a satisfying conclusion this UAAP season.

Upcoming games

Sunday, February 16, at 9:00 AM, vs. Adamson University Soaring Falcons at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City

Wednesday, February 19, at 9:00 AM, vs. National University Bulldogs at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City

Sunday, February 23, at 10:00 AM, vs. UP Fighting Maroons at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City