By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Adamson University rediscovered its winning ways, while De La Salle Zobel picked up its first victory of UAAP Season 89 after defeating University of the Philippines Integrated School and Ateneo de Manila University, respectively, on Friday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
Adamson leaned on a balanced offensive effort to sweep UPIS, 25-15, 25-17, 25-19, moving the Baby Falcons to 2-2 and into a tie for third to fifth place.
The Baby Falcons came out firing in the third set, stringing together eight straight points to take a 10-1 lead, with back-to-back blocks and an attack from Ian Dayao highlighting the run.
UPIS continued to struggle with errors late in the set, as a service error handed Adamson match point.
The Fighting Maroons staved off three match points, but a service error on their fourth attempt gave the Baby Falcons the victory and allowed them to split their back-to-back games. Adamson had lost to University of Santo Tomas in four sets on Thursday.
“Hopefully, mahigitan nga namin ‘yung performance last season. Siguro paghahandaan lang din talaga sa araw-araw na ensayo namin tsaka ‘yung composure ng mga bata during game, importante kasi ‘yun mentally tsaka ‘yung body nila kailangan prepared talaga palagi. Siguro sa ensayo rin talaga namin dadaanin,’yun ang pambawi namin,” said Adamson head coach Marvin Ramoso. “And sabi ko nga sa mga bata, hindi lang naman Final Four lang ang target natin dapat eh, kundi final two talaga kagad.”
Dayao led Adamson with 11 points, converting seven attacks and four blocks. Lance Babon added 10 points on nine attacks and an ace, while James Bernabe chipped in nine points in the 57-minute match.
Janjalani Rebualos directed Adamson’s offense with 12 excellent sets, while Johnlee Macam anchored the team’s defense with 10 digs. Macam also contributed five points on four attacks and a block.
Prince Jimenez led UPIS with eight points on five attacks and three blocks, while also collecting six digs.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Junior Spikers turned to Brett Urriquia in dispatching Ateneo, 25-14, 25-14, 25-20, to improve to 1-3 and join the Fighting Maroons in sixth place.
DLSZ came out firing in the third set, opening with a 7-1 run as the Junior Spikers capitalized on Ateneo’s miscues and leaned on Urriquia and Kooper Arguelles to keep the pressure on.
The Blue Eagles mounted a late rally behind Dominic Franco Tolentino, cutting the deficit to 22-19.
The Junior Spikers, however, quickly halted the comeback, with Arguelles delivering a block and Renell Sabaldica following with an attack to bring DLSZ to match point. After a net touch briefly kept Ateneo alive, Arguelles put the finishing touch on DLSZ’s victory.
Urriquia led all scorers with 17 points, built on 14 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Arguelles and John Angelo Ronquillo contributed eight points apiece for DLSZ in the 61-minute encounter.
Ranzlee Buco facilitated DLSZ’s offense with 12 excellent sets, while Luis Papa chipped in 10 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions on the defensive end.
Antonio Avendano and Jaden Lee emerged as Ateneo’s top scorers with five points each, as the Blue Eagles remained winless after four matches.
