Win over NU, and the Ateneo Blue Eagles will keep their Final Four chances alive in UAAP Season 87.
Simply put, there’s no room for error for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The Katipunan-based squad are determined to stay afloat in the Final Four race, tangling with the surging NU Bulldogs in their penultimate UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball game on Sunday, April 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ateneo is currently outside the magic four at 6-6, just behind the no. 3 UST (8-4) and fourth-ranked DLSU (7-4).
Head coach Vince Mangulabnan and his wards are coming off a 21-15, 25-19, 23-25, 23-25 setback against the no. 1 FEU Tamaraws in their last outing.
It marked a third straight loss to the Blue Eagles, and that proved to be costly as another loss would end their season.
Amil Pacinio anchored Ateneo’s offense with a team-high 21 points in a valiant effort.
Tournament top scorer Ken Batas had a quiet 12-point outing, while Jian Salarzon was limited to just nine markers.
After NU, the Blue Eagles will cap their elimination round campaign against the hapless UE Red Warriors (0-12).
Match time is at 9:00 a.m.
(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.]