After an opening-day setback, the Ateneo Blue Eagles look to score the upset of the early goings of UAAP Season 87 against defending champion NU.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles have a point to prove.
After a heartbreaking collapse in their season opener, they now face their toughest test yet — defending champions NU — on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Ateneo looked poised for a strong start in UAAP Season 87, building a 2-0 set lead against Adamson before faltering in five sets. AC Miner shined with 18 points, but the Blue Eagles couldn’t close the door, leaving them a bit reeling right out of the gate.
[RELATED: Shaina Nitura breaks UAAP rookie scoring record in Adamson debut as Lady Falcons soar past Ateneo]
Now, they must regroup quickly against an NU squad that showed no signs of rust in a dominant three-set victory over DLSU.
Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon powered the Lady Bulldogs with 14 and 13 points, respectively, reminding everyone why NU remains the team to beat.
For Ateneo, this matchup is more than just about avoiding an 0-2 hole — it’s about proving they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite.
The Blue Eagles will need sharper execution and stronger finishing if they hope to challenge the reigning queens of UAAP volleyball.
Can Ateneo shake off an opening-day setback and shock NU, or will the Lady Bulldogs continue their march toward another title? This battle starts 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
(With reports from Luisa Morales)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]