Ateneo completes elims sweep, blasts NU

The Ateneo Blue Spikers celebrate after getting a point in Game 2 of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Finals. Led by Marck Espejo (2nd from right) and Ysay Marasigan (right), the Blue Spikers notched their second straight UAAP title. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

Defending champions Ateneo completed its immaculate run in the elimination stage of the UAAP Season 79 men’s volleyball tournament after a three-set sweep of National University, 25-17, 25-21, 25-16, Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles finished with a 14-0 card and got an automatic bye to the finals while the 12-2 Bulldogs get to wait in the semifinals as the second seeds.

Despite reaching a perfect card, Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro said they still have to double their effort if they have plans of retaining their title.

“It’s history, yes, but we’re not yet done,” said Almadro. “We have to reset, we have to start back, the 14-0 is now history, we’re in the Finals but the job is not yet done. We will prepare for the championship.”

Marck Espejo, who played under the weather against the Bulldogs, still finished with a game-high 16 points while Antony Koyfman and Rex Intal had 11 and 10 points, respecrively.

Almadro said his three-time MVP has had fever the past days due to the fatigue he sustained from the academic load as a senior in Ateneo.

Bryan Bagunas had nine points to lead NU.