Spikers’ Turf: Ateneo upends EAC in UAAP-NCAA Champs showdown

Ateneo men’s volleyball team. INQUIRER File Photo

UAAP champion Ateneo remained undefeated in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference with a 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23 drubbing of NCAA Champion Emilio Aguinaldo College in the quarterfinals Wednesday at San Juan Arena.

Ysrael Marasigan rose from just behind the backrow line to send his attack straight to the middle of the Generals’ defense to seal the victory and a 5-0 card.

Blue Eagles head coach Oliver Almadro said they needed the game against the Generals as a wake-up call of some sorts.

“We needed that game this season,” Almadro said. “Before all our games were all finished early…EAC played well.”

An Ateneo miscue gave the Generals a free point, 24-23, on a rotation error but managed to wrap up the match in four sets.

Almadro added they had to slow down Howard Mojica throughout the game to dictate the tempo to their side.

“I told them Mojica will be a monster today,” Almadro said of the General who truly had a monstrous effort of 41 points.

Marck Espejo led the 5-0 Blue Eagles with 25 points while Marasigan, Joshua Villanueva, and Rex Intal added 12, 11, and 10 points respectively.