The Ateneo Blue Eagles target a share of the third spot in UAAP Season 87 as they lock horns with the DLSU Green Spikers.
Collegiate sports’ most storied rivalry takes center stage again.
For the first time this Season 87, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the DLSU Green Spikers will dispute in the men’s volleyball tournament, Wednesday, March 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay.
Tee time is at 11:00 a.m.
Ateneo claimed perhaps their biggest win of their campaign after pulling off a stunning four-set victory against the UST in their last outing.
Not only did the Blue Eagles snapped the Golden Spikers four-game winning run but the Katipunan-based squad also spoiled two-time MVP Josh Ybañez’s return from injury.
Ken Batas was firing on all cylinders, pouring 21 points while Amil Pacino contributed 17 markers and Jian Salarzon had 12.
It was Ateneo’s third straight victory over UST, padding their record to 3-2 in joint-fourth with La Salle.
“Lahat ng makakalaban namin moving forward is top team. Lahat ng teams sa UAAP, lahat yan malalakas at pang-champion. Ganon dapat namin sila pinaghahandaan every game, kahit sino at kahit ano rank, kahit maglalaro pa sa worlds, dapat iisa lang 'yung mindset namin na top-caliber 'yung kalaban namin para hindi kami maging complacent,” Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan told reporters in the post-game press conference.
The Blue Eagles will close out their opening round schedule against the winless UE Red Warriors on Saturday, March 15.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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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.]