By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Adamson University secured the first UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Final Four spot after a dominant 25-9, 25-10, 25-16 victory that eliminated Ateneo de Manila University from contention, Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Extending their perfect run to 10 matches, the Lady Baby Falcons clinched their sixth consecutive Final Four appearance since Season 81 in 2018 — and their fourth straight under head coach JP Yude.
Players have come and gone, but the new generation of Lady Baby Falcons continues to rise, pushing toward reclaiming the crown the San Marcelino-based program won two seasons ago.
“We thank the Lord sa opportunity na binibigay Niya sa’min, sa gifts ng mga bata, talents na nandito ulit kami,” said Yude. “Kailangan ng disiplina, be humble all the time because nga anything pwede mangyari sa isang iglap lang.
“So kailangan namin trabahuhin every time, especially ‘yung mentality ng mga bata tsaka ‘yung mga emotions nila. Because ‘yun ‘yung mga challenges na kinakaharap namin, so we need to work on that all the time,” he went on.
“We need always to be consistent sa lahat ng ginagawa and then always namin kailangan trabahuhin pa rin namin ‘yung serve and pass namin and then ‘yung atake namin because nga most of it, doon kami nag-e-error nang sobra,” the concurrent Lady Falcons head coach added.
The Lady Baby Falcons surged ahead early in the final set, stretching a 2-1 edge into a commanding 10-2 lead behind a string of aces from Cassandra Suerte and sharp hits from Maya Javier. Ateneo’s timeout failed to halt the momentum, with Suerte firing three straight aces for a 13-2 cushion.
A brief stretch of Adamson miscues allowed Ateneo to trim the deficit to 21-13, but the San Marcelino crew remained in control. Sofia Baloloy scored on a quick for set point, and Javier closed the match with a crosscourt kill for the 25-16 finish.
Suerte spearheaded the charge with 11 points — six aces and five attacks in just two sets — while Janessa Buhay added nine points built on seven attacks, also in two sets.
At the back, libero Maegan Pineda anchored Adamson’s defense with nine digs and six excellent receptions in the 56-minute sweep.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Later in the day, reigning champion National University–Nazareth School moved closer to a Final Four berth, securing at least a playoff slot after dispatching winless University of the East, 25-14, 25-6, 25-14.
The Lady Bullpups took control early in the final set, racing to an 11-3 lead. Ysabella Cruz’s steady scoring, combined with UE’s errors, widened the gap to 20-10 — their biggest of the frame.
NUNS maintained the pressure, with Mardy Tayag and Slash Obera delivering key hits. Tayag’s ace brought them to match point before Diza Berayo ended it, 25-14.
Berayo once again led NUNS with 17 points on 13 attacks and two blocks in the 54-minute outing. Jhaynna Bulandres chipped in 12 points from six attacks, three blocks, and three aces.
Libero Atasha Doroja tallied 11 digs, while setter Rain Navarro kept the offense smooth with 12 excellent sets.
The Lady Bullpups improved to 9-1 to stay securely in second place.
Ateneo (1-9) and UE (0-10) fell out of contention with their losses.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University-Diliman strengthened their own Final Four bids.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Junior Golden Tigresses scored a 25-15, 19-25, 26-24, 25-13 win over the De La Salle–Zobel Junior Lady Spikers. Meanwhile, the Lady Baby Tamaraws dismantled the University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons, 25-11, 25-10, 25-16, for their second straight win.
With the victories, UST and FEU-Diliman remained tied at third with identical 6-4 slates.
Kim Rubin powered the Junior Golden Tigresses with 19 points on 11 attacks, six aces, and two blocks, with support from Ryzel Laag’s 12 points and Nicole Pelaez’s 11.
Libero Chasliey Pepito stood out defensively with 18 digs and eight receptions, while setter Aneeza Santos tallied 12 excellent sets in the hour-and-33-minute match.
Aislinn Alemaña led DLSZ with 16 points on 14 attacks and two aces, while Jelliane Laborte added 12 points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
MJ Udeagbala delivered another strong outing for FEU-D with 13 points — six attacks, three blocks, and three aces in only two sets — while Joeyana Bongo added eight points, all from attacks.
Franz Premaylon anchored the floor with 15 digs and three receptions in the 59-minute contest.
The Junior Lady Spikers dropped to 5-5, staying in fifth place, while the Fighting Maroons slipped to 3-7, keeping their slim Final Four chances alive in sixth.
