MANILA – In a nail-biting showdown at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Ateneo de Manila University overcame the University of the Philippines in five sets, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-7, on Wednesday, keeping their UAAP Season 88 semifinal dreams alive.
Amil Pacinio spearheaded Ateneo’s offense, tallying 25 points, eight of them in the crucial final set. Aimar Okeke added 16 points and 10 excellent receptions, while team captain Jian Matthew Salarzon contributed 13 points, 15 receptions, and eight digs.
Assistant coach Tomie Rivera praised the team’s mental toughness. “The players had the skills, but they needed a reminder to stick to their game plan. Once they focused, everything fell into place,” Rivera said.
Key plays from Okeke, Enzo Gutierrez, and rookie middle blocker Rodge Alejos helped Ateneo take the fourth set, with Eijra Taluban’s service ace sealing the win after over two hours on the court.
Pacinio reflected on the intensity of the deciding set: “It was do or die. This could be my last season, so we poured everything we had into this match.”
Additional contributions came from Alejos (9 points), Julio Miguel Yu (8 points), setter Lorenzo Samuel Gutierrez (19 excellent sets), and Lance Andrei de Castro (14 receptions, 13 digs).
UP’s Olayemi Raheem led his squad with 27 points. Tommy Castrodes added 15 points and 16 receptions, while Angelo Lipata had nine points and 16 receptions. The Fighting Maroons will face Far Eastern University on April 12 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
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