Ateneo blanks La Salle, FEU takes vital win over UP in men’s volley

Ateneo continued its dominance in the UAAP Season 79 men’s volleyball tournament making mincemeat out of De La Salle, 25-22, 25-20, 25-21, Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Reigning three-time MVP Marck Espejo paced the Blue Eagles with 15 points as they improved to a perfect 13-0 and still atop the ladder.

Antony Koyfman added 12 points for Ateneo while Joshua Villanueva and Karl Baysa each finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Joshua Jose, Cris Dumago, and Arjay Onia combined for 24 points to lead the Green Spikers, who have been eliminated from Final Four contention with a 4-9 record.

Far Eastern University also took the inside track in the Final Four race and upended University of the Philippines in straight sets, 25-18, 25-15, 25-16 to stay at the third spot.

The Tamaraws improved to 7-6 while the Fighting Maroons slipped to the fifth seed with a 5-8 slate, allowing the 6-6 University of Santo Tomas to take the fourth spot.

Jude Garcia led FEU with 13 points while skipper Richard Solis added 10.

Alfred Valbuena and John Millete had 13 points apiece for the Fighting Maroons.