Ateneo bucked a first set stumble as it swept the next three to dispatch also-ran UP, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-17, to secure the top spot in Pool B in the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday.
Ken Batas took charge for the Blue Eagles, hammering down 20 points on 14 attacks and adding four kill blocks and two aces while Jettlee Gopio had 13 points on seven attacks, four aces and two blocks for the Eagles, who topped the group stage with a 4-1 record for a total of 12 points.
Perpetual, which also finished at 4-1 following a sweep of San Sebastian earlier, settled for No. 2 with 11 points.
“Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na no matter what maging posisyon namin sa pool play, kailangan yung mindset namin iisa pa rin e,” said Ateneo head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas.
“Kahit sino ‘mang makalaban namin. Ito, non-bearing game siya sa amin kasi we’re already in the quarterfinals pero sabi ko sa kanila we’re not yet at that stage kung saan pwede tayong mamili ng kalaban. Kahit sino yung makalaban namin dapat ganun pa rin yung intensity namin,” he added.
Louis Gamban paced the Fighting Maroons with 18 points while Ranz Cajolo and Angelo Lagando added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
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