By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs FEU (Men)
(Final Four, do-or-die match)
Ateneo tries to keep its four-peat bid when it battles Far Eastern University in a knockout match today for the remaining championship berth in UAAP men’s volleyball at The Arena in San Juan City.
Match is at 2 p.m. with the Eagles hoping to see another virtuoso performance from Marck Espejo who exploded for a league-record 55 points in the team’s 18-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-23, 15-9, last Saturday.
The 6-foot-3 Espejo delighted a huge crowd, coming through with a variety of power shots none lethal than the ones he produced in the deciding fifth set.
Ateneo’s win forced a rubber match in their best-of-three semis series with the Tamaraws.
Today’s winner will earn the right to face the National University Bulldogs in the finals.
The Bulldogs survived the University of Santo Tomas Tigers, 25-13, 25-13, 31-29, for the first championship seat over the weekend.
While Espejo is expected to deliver another significant numbers, Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro hopes more offensive support will come from his other stalwarts.
Espejo was on fire he accounted for 47 of the team’s 66 kills while posting six blocks and two aces.
Ish Polvorosa is expected to provide smart plays for the Eagles after making 45 excellent sets, hile libero Manuel Sumanguid will take charge of the floor after posting 21 digs and 16 receptions.
FEU, for its part, will not make it easy for Ateneo as it aims to recover the form that gave them a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis and a chance to advance to the finals for the first time in five years.
Out to lead FEU are Jude Garcia, John Paul Bugaoan and Redijohn Paler.
Game 1 of the finals is set on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
