The Ateneo Blue Eagles leaned on Amil Pacinio to defeat the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-7, to keep their Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
In the fifth set, Pacinio took over, scoring six points to help Ateneo build a commanding 10-3 lead. The Fighting Maroons responded to cut the deficit to 7-11, but Pacinio once again steadied the Blue Eagles.
Pacinio, Aimar Okeke, and Eijra Taluban then combined for a 4-0 run to seal the victory.
“We’ve always reminded them that the grit is always there, but we had to shake them up lang nung simula—that they are actually the better players inside the court. Kailangan lang talaga nila maalala ’yung pinaghandaan nila,” said Ateneo assistant coach Tomie Rivera.
Amil Pacinio Takeover for Ateneo
Pacinio led Ateneo with 25 points built on 20 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces. Okeke added 16 points and 10 excellent receptions, while Jian Salarzon contributed 13 points and 15 excellent receptions.
Enzo Gutierrez orchestrated the offense with 19 excellent sets, while libero Lance De Castro anchored the backline with 14 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs.
For UP, Olayemi Raheem erupted for 28 points and seven excellent digs, while Tommy Castrodes had 15 points built on 11 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, along with 16 excellent receptions.
The Blue Eagles will next face the La Salle Green Spikers on Saturday, April 11, at 9:00 a.m. at the Filoil Centre. Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons will take on the league-leading FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, April 12, at 3:00 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
