Ateneo nears Spikers’ Turf sweep

The Ateneo Blue Spikers celebrate after getting a point in Game 2 of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Finals. Led by Marck Espejo (2nd from right) and Ysay Marasigan (right), the Blue Spikers notched their second straight UAAP title. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo rallied from a fourth set defeat to nip National U, 16-25, 25-23, 25-18, 22-25, 15-11 and move within a win from retaining the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference crown.

The Blue Eagles unleashed a 66 spikes, 18 more than the Bulldogs, but still needed to go to a wringer before subduing NU in a one-hour, 53-minute affair.

Marck Espejo hammered in 18 kills for 20 points while Rex Intal finished with 16 points, Josh Villanueva and Paul Koyfman fired 12 hits apiece and skipper Karl Baysa added 11 markers.

The win put Ateneo a victory away from completing a sweep of the mid-season conference of Spikers’ Turf.

The Eagles go for the clincher on Saturday.

Bryan Bagunsan scored 17 points while Kim Malabunga backed him up with 12 for the Bulldogs, who struggled in their service reception and allowed the Eagles to score six aces.