THE ATENEO Blue Eagles established their rhythm with a victory against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-18. The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 matchup took place earlier today, February 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.
This victory places the Blue Eagles at third in the first round of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball tournament with a 1-1 win-loss record.
Enzo Gutierrez steered Ateneo’s ship, winning Player of the Game honors with six points and 19 excellent sets. Alongside Gutierrez, Jian Salarzon served as the Blue Eagles’ top scorer with 19 points and one block.
At the start of the match, the Blue Eagles immediately found themselves staring at an early disadvantage as they fell victim to their own attacking errors, 1-2. Responding with urgency, Brian Castro and Salarzon activated their well-timed hits to force an early deadlock, 4-4. However, Ateneo’s offensive spree was short-lived as UP powered a 4-1 blitz via varied hits from their wing attackers, 9-13.
Desperate to uplift their squad’s defensive energy, Salarzon and Rodge Alejos anchored the frontline, with their timely blocks denying UP attackers of scoring opportunities, 13-16. Building on his stellar play, Alejos continued to impose his will from the middle to pull Ateneo within four midway through the frame, 14-18.
Despite their promising surge, Ateneo struggled to contain UP’s Milven Francsico’s aggressive actions as they fell into a 15-20 hole. Alejos and Salarzon sought to spark a comeback courtesy of their vicious kills, 19-23. However, UP’s Tommy Castrodes’ off-speed kill denied the Blue Eagles any chance of mounting the deficit as the sequence ultimately secured the set for the Fighting Maroons, 21-25.
Making amends, Amil Pacinio started off the second frame, delivering consecutive points on offense at 2-1. Salarzon aided Pacinio, chalking up three service aces to get ahead, 5-1. Team Captain Salarzon then sustained his game with a pipe attack, 6-3.
As UP caught up, Aimar Okeke executed a drop to stay afloat at 10-7. Further extending their lead, Okeke then unleashed a backrow attack, 14-11. The Fighting Maroons rallied behind a strengthened defense; however, Okeke rejected this attempt with a running attack at 18-15.
After a series of errors from both teams, Pacinio broke the ice with an off-the-block kill, 21-17. Stepping up for the Fighting Maroons, Castrodes countered the Blue Eagles through an off-the-block hit, 21-23. As a response, Okeke let loose an off-the-block hit of his own, eventually sealing the deal at 25-23.
The Blue Eagles entered the third set with attacking intent as they surged to an immediate 6-1 advantage, capped by back-to-back pinpoint hits from Salarzon. Soon after, Pacinio reinforced the barrage and dispatched a gutsy attack, 10-5. Determined to tighten their hold of frame, Salarzon manufactured a cheeky play after a long rally to keep UP at bay, 13-8.
Despite their early thrust, Ateneo would find themselves on the receiving end of an emphatic 5-0 UP run to tie the set at 13-all. Unable to withstand the Fighting Maroons’rhythm, the Blue Eagles lost their control of the lead after a series of sublime left pin actions from Olayemi Raheem, 14-15. Responding decisively, Castro capitalized on Gutierrez’s distribution to put the set at a standstill, 18-18.
Both squads engaged in a gutsy back-and-forth affair at the backend of the set, 20-20. Showcasing quality despite his restricted minutes, reigning Most Valuable Player Kennedy Batas paced the Blue Eagles’ offensive down the wire with crucial hits from the wing, 22-21. Sensing momentum, the Blue Eagles never looked back with Salarzon’s right-wing maneuver, ultimately capturing the set for Ateneo at 25-21.
Intent on taking the game, Batas started the fourth canto with a down-the-line hit, 1-0. Pacinio then converted a cross-court kill to stretch Ateneo’s lead, 4-1. With momentum on their side, Gutierrez demonstrated his defensive prowess through a block, 6-4. As a response, UP’s Castrodes delivered an off-the-block hit for his team, 6-8. Countering Castrodes’ attempts, Salarzon contributed a cross-court attack at 12-7.
An Alejos ace allowed Ateneo a six-point lead at 15-19. Building on this, Okeke came forward with a block, 17-11. Sensing danger, Fighting Maroon Raheem executed consecutive attacks to stay in the game, 16-18. Gutierrez then answered with a barrage of three straight service aces, 23-18. To secure their ascent, Batas delivered an off-the-block kill, bringing the game home at 25-18.
Looking to continue their winning momentum, the Blue Eagles will face the UST Golden Spikers this Wednesday, February 25, 9:00 am at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Box scores:
Ateneo (3): Salarzon – 19, Pacinio – 13, Batas – 12, Okeke – 11, Alejos – 7, Castro – 7, Gutierrez – 6, Atendido – 1
UP (1): Raheem – 30, Castrodes – 12, Francisco – 8, Robles – 5, Sotto – 2
Quarter/Set scores:
Ateneo-UP: 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-18
Current Standings (W-L):
- FEU Tamaraws (3-0)
- NU Bulldogs (2-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-1)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-1)
- UE Red Warriors (1-2)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (1-2)
- UST Golden Spikers (0-1)
- DLSU Green Spikers (0-1)
