The Ateneo Blue Eagles and the DLSU Green Spikers open their UAAP Season 86 campaign on a strong note.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles start their UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball campaign on a strong note after overpowering the UE Red Warriors in four sets: 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Blue Eagles started off hot, as Kennedy Batas powered Ateneo to a dominant first set.
The Red Warriors regained their footing in the second set after timely bombs by Joshua Pozas.
After an error-filled second set, the Blue Eagles bounced back in the third frame, turning a 19-14 lead to into a 25-15 set win after a 6-1 finishing kick from Batas, Aimar Okeke, and Cyrus De Guzman.
Come the fourth set, Ateneo's strong start proved to be the difference once more as they would go on to secure the victory.
Batas led the way for the Blue Eagles with 22 points built on 19 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while Matthew Salarzon delivered 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks, and one ace to go along with 11 excellent receptions.
Up next for Ateneo will be against the NU Bulldogs on February 24. UE, meanwhile, will look to bounce back against the UST Growling Tigers on Wednesday, February 21.
In the second game, the DLSU Green Spikers earned a hard-fought straight-sets win against the Adamson Soaring Falcons: 25-22, 25-23, 26-24.
It was a neck-and-neck battle between both squads at the start of the match, but La Salle would cling on to a three-point lead to secure the first set.
The same story unfolded in the second set with the Green Spikers only managing to distance themselves from the Soaring Falcons, 22-19, before securing the set win.
In the third set, it was Adamson's turn to create a three-point lead, leading 15-12. But La Salle would come roaring back to tie the set at 24-all.
The Green Spikers would go on to score two-straight points to secure the set and the victory.
Noel Kompton and JM Ronquillo powered La Salle with 19 and 18 points, respectively.
The Green Spikers will go for win no. 2 on Wednesday against the FEU Tamaraws, while Adamson will face the UP Fighting Maroons on February 24.
The games will air on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel and the Pilipinas Live app.