The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles shocked the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers as they snapped the Golden Spikers’ four-game win streak with a 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 victory on Sunday, March 9.
With the win, Ateneo tied the De La Salle University Green Spikers in the standings with a 3-2 win-loss card. With the loss, the Golden Spikers slid down to the third spot with a 4-2 record.
On top of the standings were the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who are still unbeaten at 6-0, followed by the defending champions, the National University Bulldogs, at 4-1.
Here are the other things you missed on the fourth weekend of the UAAP Volleyball Tournament.
50
Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles trio Kennedy Batas, Amil Pacinio, and Jian Salarzon combined for 50 big points as they defeated the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, on Sunday, March 9.
Batas delivered 21 points on 17 attacks and three blocks, while Pacinio and Salarzon had 17 points and 12 markers, respectively. Jan Julian Macam had 14 points for the Golden Spikers, while Jay Rack de la Noche added 12. Popoy Colinares and GBoy de Vega contributed 11 points apiece.
Blue Eagles head coach Vince Mangulabnan credited his players for their hard work that led to the team’s third win. He said, “Lahat ng makakalaban namin moving forward is top team. Lahat ng teams sa UAAP, lahat yan malalakas at pang-champion. Ganon dapat namin sila pinaghahandaan every game — kahit sino at kahit anong rank, kahit maglalaro pa sa worlds, dapat iisa lang yung mindset namin na top-caliber yung kalaban namin para hindi kami maging complacent.”
16
The defending champions, the National University Bulldogs, had 16 block points in their 25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22 win against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday, March 9.
Buds Buddin scored a game-high 22 points on 17 attacks and three aces, while Leo Aringo contributed 16 points. The majority of the block points of the bulldogs came from Leo Ordiales and Rwenzmel Taguibolos, combining for nine block points. Olayemi Raheem led the Fighting Maroons with 16 points, while Tommy Castrodes added 13.
National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin lamented his team’s complacency in their third set defeat. He said, “Yung naging problema talaga namin nung third set is yung mga unforced errors namin, and kung kailan kami nakakuha ng momentum, nawawala sa amin. Nung fourth set, minindset lang namin na meron dapat kami ginagawa na may kasiguraduhan, hindi pwedeng magdoubt sa sarili.”
0
In Far Eastern University Tamaraws’ 25-23, 25-20, 31-29 win against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Saturday, March 8, no team recorded an ace, a testimony to both teams’ superb floor defense.
Tamaraw Zhydryx Saavedra was his usual self, with 18 points on 14 attacks and four blocks, while Mikko Espartero had 14 points on 11 attacks and three blocks. Jude Aguilar had 16 points for the Soaring Falcons, while Ahmed Tahiluddin added 11.
For Tamaraws assistant coach Rene Dulay, the victory is proof that the team is slowly maturing. He said, “Malayo talaga ‘yung hinabol namin. ‘Yung team chemistry ang nakita kong na-develop namin ngayon kaya nakahabol kami. Ibig sabihin, ‘yung team nagma-mature na.”
11
Eleven De La Salle University Green Spikers players scored at least a point in the team’s 26-24, 25-13, 25-23 victory against the Univeristy of the East Red Warriors on Saturday, March 8. The three players who did not score were liberos Menard Guerrero and Jonathan De Castro and back-up setter Poqs Poquita.
Michael John Fortuna led the team with 13 points, while Vince Maglinao added 11. Roy Piojo was the lone double-figure scorer for the Red Warriors with 10 points.
Green Spikers head coach Jose Roque reminded his ward to keep playing their game whatever happens to the opponent. He said, “I just reminded the team na kung ano man ang magiging resulta, ilaban niyo. Whether nawala na ‘yung setter ng UE, it doesn’t mean na ibibigay na nila ‘yung laro so sabi ko keep on going.
42, 9, 9
The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers made quick work of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons with a straight-set, 25-18, 25-19, 25-11, win on Wednesday, March 5. The Golden Spikers dominated the stat sheet with 42 attack points (compared to UP’s 21), nine block points (compared to UP’s 2), and nine service aces (compared to UP’s 2).
Jan Julian Macam led the Golden Spikers with 15 points, while Popoy Colinares and Jay Rack de la Noche had 14 points apiece. No player from the Fighting Maroons scored in double digits as Kobe Aca-ac was limited to just six points.
Golden Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon was happy with how the team is playing – happy. He said, “I think the players are enjoying themselves now in playing with each other. Mataas yung confidence level nila ngayon kaya I’m very happy. Kahit sino ilagay ko, kaya nila mag-deliver.”
12
The Far Eastern University Tamaraws recorded 12 block points in their 25-16, 25-23, 25-19 victory against the University of the East Red Warriors on Wednesday, March 5.
No Tamaraw recorded double-digit points as they utilized their deep bench with Lirick Mendoza and Mikko Espartero having eight points apiece, followed by Zhydryx Saavedra, Jelord Talisayan, and Doula Ndongala with seven apiece. For the Red Warriors, John Aligayon scored a game-high 13 points, while Raquim Acero had 11.
For Tamaraws assistant coach Rene Dulay, the team already overcame their illness-filled week where multiple players had been sick. He said, “Actually, tuloy-tuloy lang ginagawa namin. Hindi kami nagsta-stop. Yung mga struggles, I think na-overcome na namin, especially yung mga nagkasakit. Ang tingin namin, with a combined team effort, malaking factor ‘yon kasi with a 5-0 record, we’re still pushing para mas gumanda pa yung performance namin in the next games.”
