Rivalry games between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and La Salle Green Spikers always carry extra weight, but this one meant more than just pride.
Moments after Ateneo completed a 25-22, 25-23, 25-22 win over La Salle at the Filoil Centre, captain Jian Salarzon and Kennedy Batas shared an emotional embrace, as years of frustration finally turned into relief.
The victory strengthened the Blue Eagles’ hold on fourth place in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, putting them one win away from a return to the Final Four for the first time since Season 81.
It also came with added meaning. Ateneo’s win dealt a major blow to La Salle—the same team that had kept the Blue Eagles out of the semifinals in recent seasons—making the breakthrough even more significant.
“Ako, personally, mina-mindset ko talaga since after nung game namin ng UP na kailangan kong mag-all out. Kailangan kong magbuhos ng lahat para sa team para ma-secure namin ’yung spot sa Final Four,” said Salarzon, who led Ateneo with 21 points.
“Kanina, nakita ko si Kennedy na parang naiiyak na, sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Wait lang, ’wag muna. Tapusin muna natin.’ Pero nung natapos na, hindi ko rin napigilan. Gustong-gusto ko talagang manalo kalaban ang La Salle.”
Ateneo Closes Out Archrival
Unlike their first-round meeting, which went five sets (22-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-20, 13-15), the Blue Eagles left no room for a comeback this time, closing out the match in straight sets.
For Ateneo, the matchup had long been a focal point. Head coach Vince Mangulabnan shared that the team repeatedly reviewed film from their previous five-set encounter against the Green Spikers—a preparation that paid off in their rematch.
“Sobrang proud ako sa team,” Salarzon said. “Sobrang thankful din ako sa coaches kasi lahat ng nilaro namin ay galing sa sistema. ’Yun lang lagi nilang sinasabi—sumunod lang kami, and the rest will follow.”
With one more win needed to secure a Final Four spot, Ateneo now turns its attention to its next assignment against the UE Red Warriors on Saturday, April 18, at 9:00 a.m. at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Despite UE’s record at the bottom of the standings, Salarzon stressed that the Blue Eagles will remain focused.
“Sa training, lagi kaming nire-remind ng coaches na ’wag maging complacent. Kalaban pa rin ’yan. Kailangan lang namin sumunod sa sinasabi ng coaches at i-apply ’yung tinuturo nila sa susunod na games,” he said.
