Games Monday (July 20)
1 p.m. – UE vs NU
3 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle-Dasma
5 p.m. – St. Benilde vs UP
PRESS RELEASE
Ateneo used its power and superb blocking to repulse a tough-fighting La Salle side, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, and join University of the Philippines-Diliman in Group B play of the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan Wednesday.
Skipper Ysrael Marasigan, UAAP MVP Marck Espejo and Alexis Villanueva rattled off double-digit outputs to lead the Eagles’ attack that featured 58 kills, 13 more than the Archers’ output in the one-hour, 40-minute encounter.
The Loyola-based spikers also produced 12 blocks and added six aces to highlight their victory over the Archers who kept the game close with their gritty plays and reception.
But the Eagles asserted their might upfront with Marasigan coming through with 15 kills for a 19-hit effort and Espejo backing him up with 13 attacks for a 16-piont output. Villanueva took charge of their defense with five blocks and finished with 15 markers.
“Our blocking and defense really helped us a lot in this game,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro.
NCAA runner-up St. Benilde dominated La Salle-Dasmariñas from start to finish and fashioned out a 25-18, 25-18, 25-15 romp in the second game to force a three-way tie for the Group B lead.
The Blazers imposed their will behind Mark Orian, skipper Johnvic De Guzman, Ron Jorda, Racmade Etrone, Isaah Arda and Berwin Coming as they essayed a quick 65-minute victory over the Cavite-based squad.
The Patriots drew 10 hits from Eddimar Kasim and eight points each from Aldin Bin and Aidam Adam but just had no answer to the Blazers’ power and quick sets.
Arjay Onia matched Marasigan’s 19-hit game, team captain Raymark Woo tossed in 15 points and Cris Dumago added nine markers. But the rest of the Archers struggled with Ralph Calasin, Geuel Asia and guest player Geriant Bacon combining for just nine points.
In contrast, Ateneo drew at a least a hit from seven other players with Rex Intal and playmaker Joner Polvorosa chipping in eight and six points, respectively, with the latter also accounting for all but two of the team’s 38 excellent sets.
The win put the reigning UAAP champion Ateneo in the lead alongside UP in Group B of the two-division tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera and backed by Mikasa. National U and National College of Business and Arts paced Group A with 1-0 cards.
Meanwhlie, the NCBA-FEU match last Monday will be shown Thursday starting at 3:30 p.m. Games are aired on a delayed basis from Monday to Friday while Saturday telecast begins at 9:15 p.m. on PTV 4, according to the organizing Sports Vision.
NCAA champion Emilio Aguinaldo College likewise served notice of its title drive with a straight-set 25-15, 25-22, 25-21 victory over University of the East in the third game.
MVP Howard Mojica unloaded 16 kills and had one block while Kerth Melliza and Israel Encina combined for 23 hits as the Generals overcame the Warriors’ solid blocking to pound out the 70-minute victory for a share of Group A lead with NU and NCBA.
UE came through with seven blocks but EAC fired away shots from all angles and wound converting 41 attacks as against its rival’s 28.
Skipper Edard Camposano led UE with 13 hits while Ruvince Abrot added seven markers.
