Ateneo de Manila University bolstered its Final Four drive with a 25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20 win over University of the East in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
The Blue Eagles now hold a 6-6 record, just one game behind fourth-running University of Santo Tomas at 7-5 with both teams having two games left in their schedules.
Ateneo will face De La Salle University (April 21) and Adamson University (April 24) while UST will battle UE (April 21) and La Salle (April 27).
“Like what I explained to them, whatever happened yesterday and whatever is happening now in the men’s league sabi nga may windows na nagoopen ng opportunity for us to get into that Final Four so I reminded the players na binibigay sa atin yung chance so we need to work hard for it,” said Blue Eagles head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas. “Hindi puwedeng maghihintay lang tayo and it will be served to us on a silver platter.”
Ateneo fell a game shiort in its Final Four bid last season.
After falling short of their comeback bid in the second frame, the Blue Eagles returned on the court with fire, opening the third 14-7 all the way to securing it to move a set away from the victory.
Then Jettlee Gopio, Cyrus De Guzman, and Amil Pacinio took charge in the fourth for the Ateneo win in one hour and 57 minutes.
Ken Batas led the way for the Blue Eagles with 25 points and eight digs, while Jian Salarzon and Gopio produced 16 and 13 points, respectively. The former also had 22 excellent receptions.
Angelo Reyes and Steven Aligayon contributed 12 points each for UE with the latter also tallying 14 excellent receptions.
The Red Warriors received their fourth straight loss, sliding down to 1-10 at seventh.
UE’s next game will be on Wednesday against Far Eastern University at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.