As the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Volleyball Tournament officially commences, this weekly series will evaluate the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team’s (AMVT) opening act in their vye to ascend towards the Final Four.
BEGINNINGS ARE the door to the limitless. For the AMVT, this start is a new chance to bring home their long-desired crown. With reinvigorated spirits, the Blue Eagles kicked off their stint with a dead-set goal of collecting wins and ending a seven-year Final Four drought.
Despite their drive, the Blue and White struggled to find a footing in their first game against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons. The faulty five-set opener made the Katipunan-based squad go back to the drawing board and review their game plan.
Rewardingly, the AMVT settled into a routine during their Katipunan face-off with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. With the squad exhibiting a cleaner performance, the Blue Eagles earned their first win in four sets.
Moving forward with a sharper vision, the Blue and White have the rest of the season to maximize their potential. Boosting their advantages, the AMVT must continue to capitalize on their strengths to stay afloat.
Loaded firepower
Ravi: After just two games into the UAAP season, one thing stands clear about the AMVT: the depth of their talent pool–particularly their spikers. Bolstered by current top-10 scorers Aimar Okeke, Jian Salarzon, and Amil Pacinio, Ateneo ranks third overall in spiking with 126 total spikes and a 39.38% success rate.
Okeke’s return has provided a major boost for the Blue Eagles, using his sheer athleticism and power to become one of the dominant points of attack. The Nigerian native recorded 23 points against Adamson–displaying an ability to ruthlessly kill rallies when the team needs momentum-shifting plays. Meanwhile, holdovers Salarzon and Pacinio have remained a steady force from the wings, notching double-digits in both contests.
The triumvirate’s consistent contributions spotlight how the Blue and White boast multiple attackers capable of penetrating the defense in various ways. This leaves their setters with plenty of passing options to choose from, making their plays less predictable and more difficult to cover.
Hindering Ateneo from reaching their full potential, however, have been health issues, headlined by reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kennedy Batas’ ongoing recovery from injury. The outside hitter has been coming off the bench in limited minutes, noticeably sitting out of the first set. Appearing out of rhythm in the first game, Batas only scored six points and logged 5/20 attack attempts. Presenting another setback, Pacinio also exited the match in the fourth set after hurting his calf, icing Ateneo’s offense in the fifth set.
Despite Batas missing the first two sets against UP, he made up for lost time in the third and fourth sets with an improved 11/16 attack efficiency. Showing flashes of his MVP season, Batas delivered 12 points, including the final kill to reward Ateneo with their first victory.
With Batas’ minutes expected to increase as the games progress, the AMVT’s offense will look far more lethal once everyone is in rhythm. When the core of veterans carry the same hunger and strength in every spike, they may have enough firepower to shatter any defensive wall in front of them.
Engine of the offense
Carmela: Behind a hitter that soars is a setter that serves as its wings. The job, however, is only built for the all-in. Being a playmaker is a commitment: the setter is the system the play revolves around. The role requires one to be an effective communicator and to know the sets of every attacker. Without question, the setter position is only for those who leave their heart on the floor.
For the Blue Eagles, Enzo Gutierrez is the tactical orchestrator.
In their opening game against Adamson, Gutierrez instrumentally activated middle blockers Brian Castro and Rodge Alejos to keep their squad alive. As the Soaring Falcons were capitalizing on their offensive proficiency, Gutierrez’s call to open up the middle lane allowed the AMVT to extend the game. Totalling 20 excellent sets, the veteran persistently fought for the Blue and White, regardless of the outcome.
Eventually, Gutierrez’s hard work proved worthwhile. During their match against the Fighting Maroons, the setter made his presence felt after delivering 19 excellent sets and three consecutive crucial aces in the backend of the fourth set. This performance became key to the Blue Eagles’ first win of the season, even hailing Gutierrez the Player of the Game tag.
With the season just starting, Gutierrez’s recent performances are only a preview of what he has to offer. Season 88 will test the team’s bond; therefore, it is important to maintain strong relationships with each other on and off the court. It is through mutual trust that a play can be executed exceptionally.
As time passes by, more growth and consistency from Ateneo’s playmakers will be key to becoming formidable contenders in the league. Under Gutierrez’s example, gearing Eijra Taluban up to take responsibility will strengthen Ateneo’s system. Through this, an all-around rotation will help the squad sustain its stamina and momentum.
There is only so much that goes on in the floor, and only a few can shoulder it all. This season, may the Blue Eagles rely on one another and carry the load together. As long as they speak one language, no noise or silence can disrupt their court.
The first touch
David: In every volleyball game, no outstanding play is possible without a good first pass. With this mindset, the AMVT has showcased a more refined and consistent reception in their opening matches. The Katipunan-based squad currently ranks as the number one receiving team in the league with a 40.22% efficiency, underscoring how much they have elevated this crucial phase of the game since the previous season.
Okeke put himself at the driver’s seat with a reliable presence on the first ball, tallying 13 excellent receptions in their bout against the Soaring Falcons and 11 in the Battle of Katipunan. These showings situate him at the league’s rank two overall in receiving with a 48.98% efficiency. With a dependable first touch, the Blue Eagles are able to orchestrate their plays with cleaner execution, effectively outmaneuvering their foes.
As the backbone of defense, the tandem of Lance De Castro and Lein Crisostomo consistently keeps the ball alive and high. The two liberos stepped up in their match against Adamson, combining for a 43% success rate in digs to clinch the opening set and make it more difficult for the Ermita-based unit to break through the blue floor.
In just the first two games, these two departments have already fueled the team’s transition game as they enable smoother shifts from defense to offense. Through consistently delivering quality first touches, the Blue and White limit broken plays and maximize the chances of adding variation in their attacks. As a result, the team sustains longer rallies with control and dictates the tempo of the game.
After losing by a hair’s breadth against Adamson, they faced the Fighting Maroons with recharged composure, producing 19 excellent sets facilitated by Gutierrez off steadier digging and reception. Salarzon, Pacinio, and Batas also played key roles in sealing the win, contributing to a collective 35% reception efficiency.
Looking back, this improvement reflects the discipline instilled by Head Coach Vince Mangulabnan during their offseason preparations. It has become the spark that the team needed, which is a firm commitment to minimizing first-ball errors. Surging forward, the veteran-laden squad continues to turn what was once a vulnerability into a clear advantage in their Season 88 campaign.
Upcoming games:
Wednesday, February 25, at 9:00 AM, vs. University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Sunday, March 1, at 9:00 AM, vs. De La Salle University Green Spikers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Wednesday, March 4, at 11:00 AM, vs. Far Eastern University Tamaraws at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
