National University-Nazareth School extended its perfect run to nine matches while University of Santo Tomas clinched the second Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 82 Girls’ Volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena Wednesday.
The Lady Bullpups rout University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-19, 25-11, 25-10, while the Junior Tigresses made quick work University of the East, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18.
Alyssa Solomon chalked up 14 points while Mhicaela Belen and Evangeline Alinsug have 12 apiece as NU secured the twice-to-beat semis incentive.
Despite the straight-set victory, Lady Bullpups coach Regine Diego lamented the team’s performance.
“Pangit laro namin ngayon. Masyado silang kampante, masyado silang kinakabahan magkamali. We need to practice more, hindi kami pwedeng relax, hindi kami pwedeng complacent,” said Diego.
UST improved to 8-2, but assistant coach Yani Fernandez knows that the team needs to match up to their opponents’ intensity.
“Knowing UE, very competitive sila, ang sinasabi lang namin sa team, laging kunin yung momentum. Kapag napuntusan kami, kailangang maibalik kaagad namin yung bola sa side namin,” said Fernandez.
Regina Jurado registered 14 points, Renee Peñafiel had 11 markers, and Ela Raagas got seven service aces to finish with eight points for the Tigresses.
In the other match, De La Salle-Zobel snapped its three-game skid after whipping Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-17, 25-23, 25-21.
Now sporting a 4-5 card and remained in the running for a semifinals spot as they only trail the Baby Tamaraws (5-4) by just a game, Junior Lady Spikers coach Tina Salak was glad that the team lived up to her challenge of not giving up despite the odds that they are facing.
“Kahit ako mismo, sinabi kong give up na ako pero in that sense, sabi ko sa kanila, idea ko yon. Not just because yun yung sinabi ko, yun na rin ang feeling ninyo. Kailangan niyong i-challenge yung sinabi ko. Then ito nga, hindi ko inexpect na mananalo kami in straight sets,” said Salak.
Gerzel Petallo had 11 points and 16 digs, while captain Kajia Carangan and Lorien Gamboa tallied eight and seven markers for De La Salle-Zobel.
