Ateneo de Manila University mustered all its strength in the fifth set to escape upset-seeking University of the Philippines, 25-15, 18-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
With their second consecutive win, the Blue Eagles moved up above .500 at 5-4 for solo fourth, half a game ahead of University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers and Adamson University Soaring Falcons at 4-4, and half a game behind De La Salle University Green Spikers at 5-3.
Ateneo also avoided a deja vu of last year as UP won its lone game of Season 85 against the former in the second round of action, 13-25, 22-25, 26-24, 39-37, 15-12 on April 12, 2023. That win by the Fighting Maroons was their last, extending their skid to 13 games as they fell to 0-9 this season.
“Ang reminder lang namin sa kanila ay ano ba ang goal namin this year kasi I always remind them kung ano yung nangyari last season against UP so sabi ko sa kanila, we have to acknowledge that it could happen but are we going to allow it?,” said Blue Eagles head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas.
Ken Batas, Amil Pacinio, and Jian Salarzon went to work in the fifth with Ryan Daculan also chipping in to tire out the Fighting Maroons and finish the game in two hours and five minutes.
Batas erupted for 30 points on 27 attacks, two blocks, and an ace along with nine digs, while Salarzon followed with 20 points including four blocks.
Pacinio also displayed his versatility with 16 points and 27-of-35 receptions.
Leinuel Crisostomo stepped up with 19 receptions and 11 digs as main libero Lance De Castro, who leads the league in digging and receiving, left the match during the first set after sitting on his own leg while attempting to receive a ball from UP.
“‘Yung team naman handa lagi magfulfill sa kakulangan namin. Naniniwala ako sa kanila (teammates on the bench) kasi every day nagtitraining kami, every day pare-pareho yung ginagawa namin,” said Batas.
Ateneo will gun for three straight on April 4 against Far Eastern University.
Jaivee Malabanan had a complete game in a starter role for the Fighting Maroons with 19 points, 25 receptions, and six digs, while Louis Gambad and Jessie Rubin added 17 and 14 points, respectively.
UP will be back on April 4 as well against De La Salle.