Hot Espejo tows Eagles to 5th final over Tams

MANILA, Philippines — Marck Espejo picked up from where he left off, punching in 37 big hits to lead Ateneo to a 25-19, 18-25, 25-22, 25-18 win over higher-ranked Far Eastern that sent the four-peat-seeking Blue Eagles into their fifth straight UAAP men’s volleyball finals yesterday at Filoil Flying V Center.

Hardly easing up after smashing records with 55 points in their five-set squeaker in Game One of the Season 80 Final Four, Espejo dished out another fiery offensive display and scored 34 attacks and three blocks while helping out defensively with 10 excellent digs as No. 3 Eagles overcame the twice-to-beat edge of No. 2 Tams and forged a finale with waiting top seed National U.

This will be the fifth straight titular showdown between the Bulldogs and the Eagles.

Espejo was at front and center but Ateneo’s support crew did its share with Ish Polvorosa tossing 40 excellent sets and accounting for eight excellent digs and Ron Medalla (nine), skipper Karl Baysa (eight) and Chu Njigha (seven) contributing on offense.

“We really worked hard for this, hindi madali ang pinagdaanan namin (we went through difficult times),” said Polvorosa.

“Noong game last Saturday, medyo nag-load up kami kay Marck (We loaded it up on Marck in the first) and we knew he will provide points everytime. For this game, as much as possible, kung kayang magcontribute ng iba (if we can get others involved and contributing), why not?” he added.

Espejo banged in eight in the opening set as the Eagles grabbed a 21-17 cushion. The Tams fought back and took the second frame to draw level at 1-1, but the Ateneans quickly regained control, racing to leads of 22-20 and 23-13 to secure the next two and clinch the tie.

Ateneo, which avenged its two losses in the elims matches to the Tams with this semis sweep, became only the first lower seed to topple a higher-ranked rival since Season 77 when No. 4 NU brought down No. 1 Santo Tomas.