By Kristel Satumbaga
Games Saturday (The Arena, San Juan City)
12 noon – NU vs Ateneo (Men’s Final)
4 p.m. – La Salle vs FEU (Women’s Final)
Four-time Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo produced yet another explosive performance as Ateneo outplayed Far Eastern University, 25-19, 18-25, 25-22, 25-18, to book a return trip to the UAAP men’s volleyball finals yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Inspired by league-record 55-point show in the series opener over the weekend, the 6-foot-1 outside hitter erupted for 37 points, including 34 attacks to help power the Eagles to their fifth straight finals appearance.
Ateneo, likewise, arranged a fifth consecutive championship duel with arch-rival National University, which earlier advanced in the final round at the expense of University of Santo Tomas.
It was an impressive comeback for Ateneo, which entered the Final Four as the underdogs after FEU clinched one of the twice-to-beat advantages.
But the four-peat-seeking Eagles put their championship experience on display, besting the Tamaraws, 18-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-23, 15-9, last Saturday before following it up with another awe-inspiring performance.
Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro commended his players for refusing to surrender their title despite a roller-coaster performance in the prelims.
“We were struggling in the first and second round, but my players believed in the process,” said Almadro, who lost to FEU twice in the eliminations.
The Eagles destroyed the Tamaraws’ defense to dominate the third set before finally taking the fight out of their rivals with an array of power shots.
Veteran setter Ish Polvorosa also made the difference for Ateneo by producing 40 excellent sets and managing eight digs even as Manuel Sumanguid had 25 receptions and 19 digs.
Ron Medalla chipped in nine points while Karl Baysa and Chumason Njingha conspired for 15 points.
Ateneo faces NU in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
