Ateneo, NU spikers out to extend win streak

Ateneo and National University brace for more tight matches as the two unbeaten squads go for the first two seminal berths in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Vying to stretch their winning streak to five, the Blue Eagles clash with Emilio Aguinaldo College at 1 p.m. in a battle between two reigning collegiate volleyball champions.

“We hope to stay consistent and aggressive,” Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro said of his UAAP champions.

The Bulldogs, also gunning for a 5-0 card, tackle St. Benilde in the last of a three-game bill at 5 p.m.

La Salle, meanwhile, hopes to keep solo third versus National College of Business and Arts (NCBA) at 3 p.m.

A win will boost the Green Archers’ semifinal bid with a 3-1 card, but a loss will put them in a 2-2 tie with newcomers NCBA Wildcats.

The Eagles expect the Generals to come out strong as the NCAA champions vow to rebound from a loss to the Blazers, 22-25, 25-21, 25-16, 22-25, 13-15, just two days ago.

“EAC is not the NCAA champion for nothing,” said Almadro. “We have to find ways to slow down (Howard) Mojica.”

The stinging five-set defeat—where Mojica still impressed for a tournament-high 35 points—pushed the Generals down to fourth place with a 2-2 slate.

But Ateneo star Marck Espejo hopes to match the scoring firepower of Mojica in a showdown of collegiate MVPs.

“We need [Espejo] to be at his best,” said Almadro.

Last Monday, the Eagles got dragged beyond three sets for only the second time this conference as a tenacious Far Eastern University showed up before Ateneo eventually prevailed, 25-21, 25-19, 22-25, 25-17.