Hardly showing their full strength, Ateneo and National University still cruised past their opponents Monday to grab the lead in their respective groups in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena.
The Blue Eagles overwhelmed De La Salle-Dasmariñas, 25-12, 25-17, 25-13, even with UAAP MVP Marck Espejo sitting out the final set of the win that gave them the top spot of Group B at 2-0.
Ishmael Rivera led the attacks against the hapless Patriots, who could only tally half of the Blue Eagles 40 total spikes.
In Group A, the well-knit Bulldogs also emerged as the early leader at 2-0 after a 25-15, 25-22, 25-11 shutout of University of the East.
Kim Malabunga and Madzian Gampong played solid defensive games as the Bulldogs finished off the Warriors in straight sets despite resting some of their starters in the second frame.
“Our blocking was great,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Gampong and Malabunga combined for eight of the team’s 13 total blocks against the Warriors, who swatted just one of the Bulldogs’ attacks.
Malabunga paced the Bulldogs with 12 points and Fauzi Ismail delivered nine of his 11 markers on kills.
Rivera topscored with 10 and Espejo finished with nine points for the Eagles, who also overpowered the Patriots on blocks, 8-2, and aces, 6-1.
“We showed more aggressiveness [compared to the last game],” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro, who rued his wards’ lack of intensity last week despite winning over rival La Salle, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23.