Ateneo nears sweep

Games Tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan City) 8 a.m. – UP vs FEU (men’s) 10 a.m. – San Beda vs CSB (men’s) 4 p.m. – JRU vs NU (women’s) 6:30 p.m. – Adamson vs CSB (men’s)

Early semifinalist Ateneo drubbed bitter rival La Salle, 25-15, 25-20, 25-22, yesterday to move a win away from sweeping the men’s eliminations of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The two-time defending champions only needed 63 minutes to dispatch their foes, banking on power-hitting Marck Espejo and Gian Glorioso in clinching their sixth straight victory in as many matches.

Espejo, a former Most Valuable Player, led Ateneo’s offense by hitting 13 attacks to finish with 16 points.

Glorioso complemented Espejo with 11 points including eight spikes.

The Eagles dictated the tempo for most parts of the match as they also relied on their net defense where they made 10 blocks – three each from Glorioso and Ish Polvorosa.

Polvorosa also stepped up his performance with six digs and 26 excellent sets apart from finishing six points.

Skipper Karl Baysa also provided the needed reinforcements for Ateneo with nine points.

La Salle improved to fourth place with 3-3 with only one assignment left in the elims. The Archers are set to meet the University of the Philippines Maroons on Wednesday.

Earlier, National University bolstered its semis bid with a 25-13, 24-26, 25-15, 25-17 triumph over UP.

In women’s play, University of the Philippines topped San Beda, 25-16, 2519, 25-20, to fortify its semifinal bid.

The Lady Maroons trailed 8-3 in the third set before regaining their momentum in stretching their winning streak to three and improving their record to 3-1 at joint second in Group B.

San Beda skidded to 2-2.