MANILA -- Flawless victory.

Ateneo de Manila Univetsity completed a clean sweep of the 2nd Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference after upending archrival National University (NU), 25-14, 18-25, 25-20, 25-20, Monday in Game 2 of the best-of-three series for a repeat crown at the PhilSports Arean in Pasig City.

The Blue Eagles won all of its nine games in the conference and a total of 22 straight since winning it all in the inaugural edition last year, including a sweep of the Bulldogs in the finale.

“We’re not thinking of that but that’s the will of the Lord for us to sweep the tournament like last year,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro.

Conference Most Valuable Player Marck Jesus Espejo scored 15 points with 14 coming off kills while hitting the championship-clinching point with a sharp service ace for the Blue Eagles. Espejo, who was named 1st Best Outside Spiker, had nine excellent receptions.

Finals MVP 6-foot-8 Russian-American recruit Antony Koyfman also came up with 15 markers with all but one coming from kills while Josh Villanueva got seven for the Blue Eagles.

(READ: Intal waxes sentimental about leaving UAAP)

The Katipunan-based squad clawed its way back from a 16-18 deficit in the fourth set with a 7-1 spurt to take a 23-19 lead. Ateneo setter Ish Polvorosa, who won the Best Setter award, committed a service error in the next play before Espejo sealed the win with a kill and an ace.

Almadro said the title will boost even more the Blue Eagles’ build up heading into the 79th UAAP season where Ateneo bids for a three-peat.

“It’s good to win this one but it’s just a mark for the UAAP. We really want the UAAP championship this year. We badly want to win that one so we have to prepare for that,” the Ateneo mentor said, whose squad escaped Game 1 in five sets.

Bryan Bagunas finished with 15 points while Best Opposite Spiker winner Madzlan Gampong had eight for NU, which for the second straight year fell short against the Ateneans in the conference finals.

Meanwhile, Arjay Onia and Raymark Woo, named 2nd Best Outside Spiker, powered De La Salle University (DLSU) in a 25-16, 25-22, 19-25, 25-21, win over University of Santo Tomas (UST) to tie their battle for third to one game apiece.

But the Tigers still bagged the third place crown because of superior points in the tiebreak after the championship series closed.

Onia punched all of his 14 points from kills while Woo hammered all of his markers from spikes to lead the Green Spikers, which dropped their series opener in three sets. Mike Frey added 12 points for DLSU.

The Tigers gave away 40 free points off errors that led to their downfall.

Manuel Medina had 16 points while Jayvee Sumagaysay and Timothy James Tajanlangit scored 10 each for the Espana-based squad.

Meanwhile, Kim Malabunga (2nd Best Middle Blocker) of NU, Lester Sawal (Best Libero) of UST and DLSU’s Rafael Del Pilar (1st Best Middle Blocker) round up the individual awards winners.

This story was originally published on the ABS-CBN Sports website.