ATENEO is one win away from a Spikers Turf conference sweep after the Blue Eagles pounded on National University, 25-17, 25-18, 25-19, in the opener of the Collegiate Conference title series on Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.
Rex Intal scored 15 points, while Marck Espejo and Ysay Marasigan added nine markers apiece for Ateneo.
The Blue Eagles needed only an hour and 12 minutes to notch their 12th win in as many matches and can complete the sweep on Sunday in the second match of the best-of-three series.
Ateneo had much more blocks, 10-3, and capitalized on the Bulldogs’ poor reception as they hit 12 service aces. NU was zero from the service line.
The Blue Eagles committed 15 errors but also earned 26 points from NU’s miscues.
Bryan Bagunas scored 11, while Francis Saura and Fauzi Ismail combined for 18 markers for NU.
The Blue Eagles will also be looking to score a golden double with the Lady Eagles, who are one win away from the V-League crown.
“I’m really happy kasi lahat ng ginamit ko really delivered. ’Yung Karl Baysa hindi ko in-expect na magstep up siya ng husto so malaking tulong para sa amin ’yun. It’s a really big help for Marck and Ysay,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro.
“We have to outsmart them, we early have to think of a way score against them. Hindi napipigilan ang atake ng NU. Kung nagprepare kami ng maayos mapupunta sa amin ang odds,” Almadro added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
