Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo continued to face little resistance as it bulldozed through National University, 25-17, 25-18, 25-19, for its 12th straight win and a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three finals series of the Spikers’ Turf Sunday at the Arena in San Juan.
Blue Eagles head coach Oliver Almadro said they were expecting a difficult game against the Bulldogs but their preparation allowed his team to win in straight sets.
“If you prepare well the odds will side in your favor,” Almadro said. “And hopefully we can bring this momentum for Game 2.”
Ateneo got little bit of help from NU in the endgame with the Bulldogs making matters worse with a costly error that put the Blue Eagles at match point, 24-19.
Ysrael Marasigan ended the Bulldogs’ misery with a well-placed service ace.
Rex Intal led Ateneo with 15 points while MVP Marck Espejo added nine.
Bryan Bagunas recorded a team-high 11 points for the Bulldogs while Ismail Fauzi and Francis Sara scored nine points each.