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.
MIDWAY THROUGH the first round of eliminations, the AMVT surmounted their spot in fourth place with a 2-2 win-loss record in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament. In achieving this standing, they endured back-to-back five-set thrillers that resulted in split outcomes.
The Blue and White suffered a five-set defeat against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers. In spite of extended second and fourth sets, the Blue Eagles ultimately bowed before the Season 87 bronze medalists in the final frame of the match.
Adamant to avenge their loss, the Loyola Heights-based unit almost absorbed a reverse sweep against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers. Refusing to replicate their previous demise, Ateneo outlasted La Salle in the fifth set to seal their second victory of the tournament.
In hopes of concluding the first elimination round in the UAAP’s top ranks, the AMVT must amend their strategies to take down the tournament’s juggernauts: former silver medalists Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws and five-time defending champions National University (NU) Bulldogs.
Middle anchors
Caleb: While much of the spotlight has focused on the Blue Eagles’ offensive firepower and wing depth, little has been discussed about the steady consistency of their middle blockers. As the usual likes of Aimar Okeke, Jian Salarzon, and Amil Pacinio steer the attacks, it is undeniably Rodge Alejos and Brian Castro’s unsung brilliance in the middle that sustains the Blue Eagles’ momentum, especially down the wire when defenses lock in on the usual attackers.
Showcasing their composure in the last two outings, Alejos and Castro have provided the Mangalubnan-led unit with versatility and an enduring force down the middle. Offensively, the duo’s towering threat has facilitated easier scoring opportunities for wing attackers. Against UST and DLSU, Ateneo frequently ran decoy plays through Alejos and Castro, allowing the wingers to operate at will and score with ease.
Yet, more than mere tactical decoys, the dyad has also unveiled their ability to slot quick attacks at any given time, especially when playmaker Enzo Gutierrez opts to activate the middle lanes. True to their steady form, Castro notched eight points off attacks against the Golden Spikers, while Alejos delivered five crucial kills against the Green Spikers. Displaying poise under pressure, Alejos’ rapid middle attack in the closing moments of the deciding frame against DLSU proved to be critical, helping the Blue Eagles narrowly escape with the win.
Defensively, a more telling narrative emerges as Alejos currently ranks third in blocking in the league with an average 0.89 blocks per set. The sophomore’s defensive wits was on full display against DLSU, tallying seven denials—nearly matching the Green Spikers’ total output of 10 blocks in the contest. Similarly, Castro has also exhibited frontline mastery, generating timely defensive plays in the last two outings. Proving his versatility, it was the veteran’s crucial kill-block against UST’s Kris Hernandez that ultimately secured the third set for the Blue and White in the match.
With the middle blockers proving to be an invaluable asset at the net, and Kennedy Batas regaining his MVP form, all signs point toward the Blue Eagles peaking at the right time. If the balance between offensive firepower and defensive stability remains intact, then Blue Eagles might just have what it takes to pull off two massive upsets in the coming week.
Tale as old as time
Jules: Some things never change for the AMVT. Veteran wingers Salarzon, Pacinio, and Batas have been with Loyola Heights since Season 85, while libero Lance De Castro has been a Blue and White mainstay since pre-pandemic. With experience at the helm, the Blue Eagles have statistically performed well, especially in reception, digging, and service. Yet, one other category has also remained consistent for Ateneo: errors.
In their matchups against UST and DLSU, the Blue and White garnered 39 and 35 errors, respectively, in favor of the opposition. These faults impeded their momentum during rallies and offensive runs, usually at the expense of their growing advantage. Hence, while greatness flows confidently through the Blue Eagles’ veins, the amount of committed errors may result in their eventual loss of a tightly contested match.
Thus, the AMVT lacks grace under pressure, falling prey to predictable offense and haphazard decision-making. Consequently, these result in attacks beyond the court, services toward the net, and plays out of reach. Once these mistakes pile over and their opponent catches up, the Blue and White then cave into an influx of errors that build upon itself, causing an overwhelming lead to stun the Blue Eagles.
Another pressing issue for the AMVT is their inconsistency to close out matches, such as in their first match of the season against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons and the recently held slugfest versus the UST Golden Spikers. Albeit promising set victories, the Blue Eagles’ Achilles’ heel still exhibits itself as an open secret—a tendency to falter when all things supposedly turn out well until it begins to break apart.
Overall, confronting their next opponents will be a challenge for the Blue and White. While the AMVT has developed the necessary competences to tame the Tamaraws and silence the Bulldogs, their tenacity will solely rely on how they respond to adversity and disadvantage as the Blue Eagles attempt to soar past the Season 87 podium finishers.
Built for the moment
Ravi: Every successful sports team is defined by the way they respond to adversity. When the pressure is at its highest, a team’s poise is put to test, and their rise or fall will often bear on the shoulders of the more experienced players. Amid all the close calls the AMVT has faced, their veterans have stood firm in keeping the fight alive—win or lose.
Leading the charge for Ateneo is De Castro who remains persistent in keeping rallies alive even when the point already seems lost. While his statistics and minutes have noticeably decreased compared to previous seasons, the seasoned libero remains invaluable whether he is on or off the court. What is not seen in the statsheet is how De Castro boosts his teammates’ morale, being the first one to call out reads and remind the Blue Eagles to keep their heads up regardless of the score.
Gutierrez has also embraced a leadership role, keeping everyone engaged in their offense. Distributing equal opportunities to his attackers, the Ateneo playmaker keeps opposing defenses guessing. Showing readiness to exceed expectations and do whatever it takes to win, Gutierrez launched five attacks of his own versus their archrivals.
On the wings, spikers Batas, Salarzon, and Pacinio carry more than just power in their kills, but improved intelligence in penetrating the defense. The trio’s growth is evident in the way they adjust after errors or blocks, often scoring in the succeeding play with a different attacking approach.
This collective maturity and experience has proven vital especially with the Blue and White already enduring three five-set thrillers in their first four games. Despite falling short against AdU and UST, the victory over DLSU witnessed a team eager to shed their reputation for heartbreak defeats.
Even after losing momentum, Ateneo weathered the storm in the fifth set to pull off a hard-fought triumph—no longer being defined by collapse, but instead newfound composure.
As Season 88 shapes up to be an unpredictable season, Ateneo’s last two games serve as a lesson that no lead is secure. Every set unfolds a new story where victory is awarded to those who stay present in the moment. With a battle-tested core of veterans at the helm of the nest, the Blue Eagles now have more than enough resolve to overcome the tougher trials ahead of them.
Upcoming games:
Wednesday, March 4, at 11:00 AM, vs. FEU Tamaraws at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Sunday, March 8, at 9:00 AM, vs. NU Bulldogs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Saturday, March 14, at 9:00 AM, vs University of the East Red Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena
Current Standings (W-L):
- FEU Tamaraws (4-0)
- NU Bulldogs (3-1)
- UST Golden Spikers (3-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (2-2)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-2)
- UE Red Warriors (1-3)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (1-3)
- DLSU Green Spikers (0-4)
