Ateneo de Manila University overcame a third-set stumble to snap University of Santo Tomas’ four-game winning streak, securing a 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 victory in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The triumph marked the Blue Eagles’ third straight conquest of the Golden Spikers’ dating back from last season.
Bouncing back from a four-set loss to still-undefeated Far Eastern University last March 2, Ateneo handed the streaking UST a reality check.
With the win, the Blue Eagles improved to a 3-2 record, tying the De La Salle University Green Spikers for fourth place ahead of their highly anticipated rivalry match on Wednesday, March 12, at the same Pasay venue.
Ateneo’s triumph also spoiled the return of two-time MVP Josh Ybañez, who came off the bench for UST after missing four games due to a Grade 2 right ankle sprain sustained in their season-opening loss against FEU last February 15.
“Lahat ng makakalaban namin moving forward is top team. Lahat ng teams sa UAAP, lahat ‘yan malalakas at pang-champion. Gano’n dapat namin sila pinaghahandaan every game, kahit sino at kahit ano rank, kahit maglalaro pa sa worlds, dapat iisa lang ‘yung mindset namin na top-caliber ‘yung kalaban namin para hindi kami maging complacent,” Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan said.
With the loss—and National University’s four-set win over the University of the Philippines earlier in the day—UST dropped to solo third place in the eight-team standings with a 4-2 record.
With the fourth set tied at 15-all, the Blue Eagles broke away with a crucial 5-0 run, capitalizing on three attack errors from JJ Macam and Gboy de Vega, along with two quick hits from Jian Salarzon, to establish a 20-15 cushion.
Rookie opposite hitter Al-Bukharie Sali attempted to keep UST within reach, but Ateneo’s balanced attack proved too much. Amil Pacinio fired two consecutive kills, followed by a crosscourt hit from Kennedy Batas, an attack error by Dela Noche, and a game-sealing down-the-line spike from Pacinio to complete the four-set victory.
In the second set, Ateneo erased a 17-19 deficit with a late surge led by Pacinio, Brian Castro, and Batas to claim a 25-22 win and take a commanding two-set lead. The Blue Eagles also capitalized on UST’s 11 errors in the opening frame, with Batas scoring the final three points to put Ateneo ahead early.
The Golden Spikers now aim to close out the first round on a high note when they face the Bulldogs in a rematch of the past two UAAP men’s volleyball finals next Sunday, March 16, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Games on Wednesday (SM Mall of Asia Arena)
9 a.m. – NU vs Adamson (Men)
11 a.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (Men)
1 p.m. – NU vs Adamson (Women)
3 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (Women)
