Eagles, Bulldogs forge final duel

Ateneo Blue Eagles prepare for an attack. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo and National University forged a titular showdown in the Spikers’ Turf-Season 1 Collegiate Conference after sweeping past their semifinal rivals Wednesday.

The Bulldogs, dragged into a marathon five-setter in Game 1, avoided a long-drawn battle this time by downing Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, through well-placed hits and unyielding blocks in the fourth set.

In contrast, the Blue Eagles again made short work of the National College of Business and Arts Wildcats for a 25-19, 25-13, 25-22 win in the other best-of-three semifinal to set up the championship stage of the league presented by PLDT Home Ultera on Monday.

Skipper Ysrael Marasigan, Marck Espejo and Joshua Villanueva were on attack mode all game long for the Eagles but it was the heroism of Carlo Glorioso that crushed the optimism of the Wildcats  at San Juan Arena.

Ateneo kept its immaculate record intact going into the finals.