BLUE EAGLES WITHSTAND BULLDOGS IN CLASSIC FIVE-SET WIN, TAKE 1-0 LEAD
By Ardyn Gonzales
2 May 2017
The well-rested Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles survived the National University Bulldogs in a five-setter match, 25-22, 21-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-13, to take the Game 1 of the Finals of the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament, May 2, Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
After sweeping the elimination round, the Blue Eagles went straight to the Finals and were rested for more than three weeks. Ateneo was able to claim the opening set, but the rustiness became evident when they lost the next two frames with too many unforced errors.
Down a set, the Blue Eagles displayed composure in the fourth frame and dominated the Bulldogs with strong attacks led by Marck Espejo and Rex Intal. They pulled away quickly, 13-6, and did not let NU to catch up to extend the match in five sets.
The fifth set started with Ateneo and NU exchanging attacks, but the turning point was the emphatic block of Joshua Villanueva on Kim Balabunga which started the run of Ateneo to have a 13-8 lead.
But the Bulldogs responded, including the two consecutive blocks on Espejo, to tie the game at 13-all.
NU continued to check Espejo in the next rally, but Ateneo was able to recover to set up another play that brought them to match point. The Bulldogs got a taste of their own medicine as the attack of Fauzi Ismail got rejected by Intal to end the match in favor of the Blue Eagles.
Marck Espejo carried Ateneo with 29 points built on 25 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, with Tony Koyman and Joshua Villanueva adding 18 and 14 points respectively.
Fauzi Ismail led NU with 22 points, with Bryan Bagunas chipping in 18 markers.
The Game 2 of the Finals is on May 6, Saturday, still at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Player of the Game: Marck Espejo, 29 points (25 attacks, 3 blocks, 1 service ace)
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