Ateneo triumphs in men's volleyball season opener

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

9 a.m. – Ateneo vs NU (Men)

11 a.m. – Ateneo vs NU (Women)

3 p.m. – UP vs FEU (Men)

5 p.m. – UP vs FEU (Women)

Ateneo de Manila University gifted head coach Vince Mangulabnan a winning debut, recovering from a third set stumble to deliver a 25-17, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23 triumph against Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After dominating the first two sets, the Blue Eagles faltered late in the third set as the Blue Eagles turned to the duo of Marc Paulino and Ahmed Tahiluddin to elevate the set score at 2-1.

Ateneo immediately regained its footing to thrash Adamson in the fourth set and emerge victorious in its first game of the season.

In the process, the Blue Eagles sent the Soaring Falcons down to their seventh straight defeat dating back to April 3, 2024 in Season 86. The last time Adamson won a match came via a sweep of University of the East in its Season 86 second round opener last March 23, 2024.

“Marami pa kami kailangan ayusin, lalo na sa upcoming game namin against NU. Itong game na ito kasi nanalo kami dahil sa mga players talaga. Sumunod lang sila sa gusto mangyari ng coaches and nagadjust sila in-game talaga na marami kaming hindi nakikita ng mga coaches, kaya mas nakikita nila. Yung win na ito, ginusto talaga nila ito,” Mangulabnan said.

Coming from a narrow third set defeat, Brian Castro, Amil Pacinio, and Kennedy Batas joined forces to build an early 15-11 advantage for Ateneo in the fourth set.

Adamson trimmed the deficit to 22-20, but a crucial quick attack from Jett Gopio, a crosscourt hit from Jian Salarzon, and a net touch error from the Soaring Falcons sealed Ateneo's victory.

The duo of Paulino and Tahiluddin came alive in the third set, delivering in Adamson’s crucial 5-1 run to convert a 19-18 lead to a 24-19 advantage and deny Ateneo an outright sweep.

Gaining momentum from a dominant 25-17 opening set win, the Blue Eagles leaned on Lorenzo Gutierrez, Jian Salarzon, Pacinio, and Batas to deliver the finishing blows in the second set and send the Soaring Falcons down a 2-0 set hole.

Ateneo’s offense proved to be a vital factor in its opening day triumph, overpowering Adamson in the attack (57-39) and aces (6-1) department, respectively.

Batas poured 24 points built on 17 attacks, five blocks, and two aces, while Pacinio tallied 18 points with 14 attacks. Salarzon scored 11 points while Gopio chipped in 10 points with four blocks.

Gutierrez shined in his UAAP debut with 19 excellent sets to go along with five points built on two aces, while team captain Lance de Castro tallied 20 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.

Ateneo’s title aspirations will be put to the test in a clash against reigning four-time UAAP champion National University, Mangulabnan's former alma mater on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Paulino paced the Soaring Falcons in the losing effort with 13 points built on 12 attacks, while Tahiluddin ended the day with 11 points with 10 attacks.

Ronn Domingo tossed 15 excellent sets and one point, while Anrhil Cuadra tallied 12 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs. 

Adamson will remain on the hunt to find its winning form in a match against De La Salle University next Saturday, Feb. 22, at the same San Juan arena.