Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle Kennedy Batas and Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraw Gerzel Petallo earned the Players of the Week nod from the Collegiate Press Corps.

Kennedy Batas was the top scorer in the Blue Eagles’ win against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, on Sunday, March 9, scoring 21 big points.

With the win, Ateneo returned to the winning column after dropping their game against the still-undefeated Far Eastern University Tamaraws. 

On the other hand, Petallo has been the anchor of the Lady Tamaraws in their wins against the University of the East Lady Red Warriors and Adamson University Soaring Falcons.

With their back-to-back victories, the Lady Tamaraws sit comfortably at the third spot with a 4-1 win-loss record, behind the National University Lady Bulldogs and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.

Here’s how the two players of the week played in their respective matchups.

Batas’s Performance Against the Golden Spikers

In Ateneo’s 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 win against the then-streaking University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, Kennedy Batas was all over the stat sheet as he led the team with 21 points on 17 attacks, one block, and three aces.

Batas also recorded 10 excellent receptions as the Blue Eagles tied the De La Salle University Green Spikers for fourth place with an identical 3-2 record.

With the Player of the Week nod, Batas bested the likes of National University’s Buds Buddin, Far Eastern University’s Mikko Espartero, and La Salle’s Vince Maglinao.

In an interview, Batas credited his team’s maturity as a key factor in winning the game, despite seeing a sea of yellow in the venue.

He said, “Isang factor is ‘yung composure namin. Despite ‘yung maraming crowd nila, cinompose lang talaga namin ‘yuung sarili namin. Talagang mas matured kami ngayon, ‘yung passion namin, mas tumaas, at ‘yung chemistry namin sobrang solid.”

The Blue Eagles will next face the Green Spikers on Wednesday, March 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena. They will end the first round of eliminations against the University of the East Red Warriors on Saturday, March 15, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Pettalo’s Performance Against the Lady Red Warriors, Lady Falcons

In a team of many reliable scorers, Gerzel Pettalo of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws proved a steady anchor, leading the team to its victories against the University of the East Lady Red Warriors and Adamson University Lady Falcons.

In their straight-set 25-23, 25-19, 25-20 win against the Lady Red Warriors, Petallo was the team’s top scorer with 12 points, with eight excellent digs and six excellent receptions.

In the Lady Tamaraws’ 23-25, 25-15, 25-13, 25-10 victory against the Lady Falcons, Petallo was once again the top scorer with 16 points on 14 attacks and two aces, with 15 excellent receptions.

With the Player of the Week commendation, Petallo bested the trio of Annge Poyos, Reg Jurado, and Detdet Pepito of the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, National University’s one-two punch of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, and La Salle’s captain Angel Canino.

With the wins, the Lady Tamaraws are in the best position to solidify their status in the final four as the first round of eliminations comes to a close.

“‘Yung akin lang po, we’re a contender na talaga ngayon. Hindi lang kami ‘yung dark horse nung last season na sobrang hilaw pa, [na nakasabit] pa lang raw kami sa fourth. Ngayon po, talagang lalaban na kami at we’re gonna showcase our talents na,” Petallo said.

The Lady Tamaraws’ last match in the first round of eliminations will be against the De La Salle Green Lady Spikers on Saturday, March 15, at the Araneta Coliseum.