Games Saturday (Philsports Arena, Pasig City)
10 a.m. – La Salle vs UPH (men’s)
12 noon – EAC vs Ateneo (men’s)
4 p.m. – UST vs CSB (women’s)
6 p.m. – SSC vs Ateneo (women’s)
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Defending champion Ateneo blasted San Beda, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16, yesterday to start its title-retention campaign on a high note in the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Eagles turned to Marck Espejo and 6-foot-8 Russian-American recruit Antony Paul Koyfman with 13 and 11 points, respectively, including combined 19 kills from the attack line for the team’s first win in the conference.
Espejo also highlighted his performance with three blocks, while Koyfman posted two service aces.
Despite stumbling into 27 errors, the two-time UAAP reigning champion Ateneo managed to dismantle San Beda in only 62 minutes by becoming aggressive behind the net.
So aggressive were the Eagles that they limited the Lions’ production in all departments. None from San Beda scored more than nine points with guest player Jan Berlin Paglinawan topscoring with eight points.
Also snatching its first win was University of Perpetual Help, which clobbered Philippine Merchant Marine School (PMMS), 25-23, 25-17, 25-23.
Brothers Rey and Relan Taneo led the Altas with 14 and 10 points, respectively, including four of the team’s six blocks.