by Kristel Satumbaga
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – NU vs La Salle (m)
10 a.m. – UE vs FEU (m)
2 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson (w)
4 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo (w)
Ateneo and Adamson strengthened their Final Four bids in UAAP men’s volleyball after besting their rivals yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Eagles sizzled at the offensive line en route to their 25-16, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22 triumph over skidding University of the Philippines (UP) Maroons while the Falcons rose from a two-set deficit to survive the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers, 20-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-14, 15-9.
The win improved Ateneo and Adamson’s win-loss records to 7-4 to remain tied at third place, inching closer to second-running Far Eastern University (8-2).
Early semifinalist National University is at the helm at 9-1.
Ateneo blasted 60 kills anchored on Ron Medalla and Ishmael Rivera, who combined for 29 attacks to finish with 21 and 15 points which Chumason Njingha posted five of the team’s 10 blocks.
Njingha chipped in 14 points as well as Gian Glorioso, while Tony Koyfman added 12 points.
Skipper Paolo Pablico, meanwhile, skippered Adamson with 23 points built on 21 hits and two blocks while Leo Miranda and George Labang Jr added 17 and 15 points.
UP plummeted to its 10th loss against a lone victory while UST fell to 4-7 at fifth.
