Romwel Anzures

The Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1741501074121UAAP 87 MVB NU vs. UP- ADMU Grp (2).jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media."/>The Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University triumphed over University of Santo Tomas to halt the four-game winning streak of the Golden Spikers in UAAP Season 87.</div>The Blue Eagles overcame a third-set stumble to secure a 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 win vs. UST in their men’s volleyball tournament faceoff on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.The triumph marked the Blue Eagles&#x27; third straight conquest of the Golden Spikers&#x27; dating back from last season.Bouncing back from a four-set loss to still-undefeated Far Eastern University last March 2, Ateneo handed the streaking UST a reality check.With the win, the Blue Eagles improved to a 3-2 record, tying the De La Salle University Green Spikers for fourth place ahead of their highly anticipated rivalry match on Wednesday, March 12, at the same Pasay venue.Ateneo’s triumph also spoiled the return of two-time MVP Josh Ybañez, who came off the bench for UST after missing four games due to a Grade 2 right ankle sprain sustained in their season-opening loss against FEU last February 15.“Lahat ng makakalaban namin moving forward is a top team. Lahat ng teams sa UAAP, lahat yan malalakas at pangchampion. Ganon dapat namin sila pinaghahandaan every game, kahit sino at kahit ano rank, kahit maglalaro pa sa worlds, dapat iisa lang yung mindset namin na top-caliber yung kalaban namin para hindi kami maging complacent,” Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan said.With the loss—and National University’s four-set win over the University of the Philippines earlier in the day—UST dropped to solo third place in the eight-team standings with a 4-2 record.With the fourth set tied at 15-all, the Blue Eagles broke away with a crucial 5-0 run, capitalizing on three attack errors from JJ Macam and Gboy de Vega, along with two quick hits from Jian Salarzon, to establish a 20-15 cushion.Rookie opposite hitter Al-Bukharie Sali attempted to keep UST within reach, but Ateneo’s balanced attack proved too much. Amil Pacinio fired two consecutive kills, followed by a crosscourt hit from Kennedy Batas, an attack error by Dela Noche, and a game-sealing down-the-line spike from Pacinio to complete the four-set victory.In the second set, Ateneo erased a 17-19 deficit with a late surge led by Pacinio, Brian Castro, and Batas to claim a 25-22 win and take a commanding two-set lead. The Blue Eagles also capitalized on UST’s 11 errors in the opening frame, with Batas scoring the final three points to put Ateneo ahead early.“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, pag nanalo kami, hindi dahil sa aming coaches ‘yon, dahil sa kanila kasi nga nagtiwala lang sila kung ano game plan namin. It’s all guidance lang talaga with the way we practice and magaral, it’s all guide kasi yung inaral namin, nagbunga,” Mangulabnan added.Batas continued his scoring run with a game-high 21-point performance built on 17 attacks, three aces, and one block with 10 excellent receptions and two excellent digs, while Pacinio provided ample support with 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks, and one ace.Salarzon tallied 12 points on 11 attacks and one block with eight excellent receptions and two six excellent digs, while Castro chipped in six points on three attacks and three blocks.Lorenzo Gutierrez dished out 20 excellent sets with two points, while team captain Lance de Castro had six excellent digs and five excellent receptions.Macam paced the Golden Spikers in the losing effort with 14 points, six excellent digs, and three excellent receptions, while Dela Noche scored 12 points on 11 attacks and one block with four excellent digs.De Vega provided 11 points, five excellent receptions, and four excellent digs off the bench, while Popoy Colinares also tallied 11 points on eight attacks, two blocks, and one ace.Team captain Dux Yambao tossed 20 excellent sets.The Golden Spikers now aim to close out the first round on a high note when they face the Bulldogs in a rematch of the past two UAAP men’s volleyball finals next Sunday, March 16, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles overcame a third-set stumble to secure a 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 win vs. UST in their men’s volleyball tournament faceoff on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. #UAAPSeason87 #UAAPvolleyball

The Blue Eagles overcame a third-set stumble to secure a 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 win vs. UST in their men’s volleyball tournament faceoff on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. #UAAPSeason87 #UAAPvolleyball

UAAP: Ateneo triumphs over UST, spoils Josh Ybañez’s return

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UAAP: Ateneo triumphs over UST, spoils Josh Ybañez’s return

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Published Mar 09, 2025 02:32 PM PHT

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