By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Adamson University stood its ground in a tense five-set showdown, turning back defending champion National University-Nazareth School, 22-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-16, 15-12, to complete a first-round sweep of the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Lady Baby Falcons caught fire in the decisive fifth set, launching a 10-2 run powered by four consecutive attacks from Ellaine Gonzalvo. But the Lady Bullpups attempted to rally, capitalizing on Adamson’s miscues to score five straight points and close in at 10-7.
Adamson remained composed under pressure, though, with Gonzalvo delivering the finishing blows. The outside hitter scored on back-to-back attacks to bring the Lady Baby Falcons to match point and eventually seal the win in a clash between the league’s last two champions.
“We praise the Lord talaga na hindi niya pinabayaan ‘yung mga bata na sumuko. I’m very proud sa mga bata, sa performance nila today because hindi sila nag-give up hanggang fifth set,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude.
“So the same thing na nangyari sa [game against] UST, [lumaban] hanggang dulo. ‘Yun ‘yung nakaka-proud sa mga bata because ‘yung tapang nila hanggang dulo, hindi matatawaran, kaya I always appreciate ‘yung effort talaga nila.”
It was a breakout game for Gonzalvo, who erupted for a career-high 28 points on 25 attacks and two aces. Kristal Martin provided strong support with 19 points — all from attacks — in the two-hour, eight-minute duel.
Fracheska Adem and Janna Dizon added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Setter Elaine Garces steered the offense with 21 excellent sets, while libero Maegan Pineda anchored the defense with 21 digs and 16 receptions.
Diza Berayo led the Lady Bullpups with 24 points off 22 kills and a service ace as NUNS dropped to 6-1 for solo second place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Far Eastern University-Diliman, on the other hand, weathered a third-set scare before dispatching the University of Santo Tomas, 25-20, 25-22, 17-25, 25-14, to stretch its winning streak to three and forge a triple tie for third place.
The Lady Baby Tamaraws raced ahead early in the fourth frame, building an 11-5 cushion through solid net defense. They kept their rhythm going, widening the gap to 20-10 behind the efforts of MJ Udeagbala and Aleah Devosora while forcing UST into costly errors.
A block from Cathlyn Umal brought FEU-D to match point. Although Udeagbala’s service error gave UST a brief lifeline, Andrianna Menchavez’s misfire from the service line ended the match in favor of the Baby Tamaraws, 25-14.
“Sa training pa lang nakita ko naman na ‘yung mga bata, maganda na ginagalaw. Gusto naming dumikit doon sa pang-number three spot kasi once na nanalo nga kami, sabi ko sa mga bata magti-triple tie kaya ang maganda ay nangyari ‘yung gusto naming mangyari. Ngayon doon sa second round, tatrabahuhin na lang ulit namin,” said FEU-D head coach Joanne Bunag.
Nigerian reinforcement Udeagbala once again led FEU-D with 19 points built on 14 attacks and four blocks, alongside 12 excellent digs. Devosora and Umal chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the one-hour, 40-minute match.
Charlene Balandra dished out 14 excellent sets, while libero Querstine Paragas had 17 digs.
On the other side, Kim Rubin and Nicole Pelaez tallied 12 points apiece for UST, both with 11 kills. Rubin added an ace, while Pelaez recorded a block.
The Junior Golden Tigresses fell to 4-2, now tied with FEU-D for third place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Earlier, Ateneo de Manila University snapped its losing streak with a straight-sets victory over the University of the East, 25-23, 25-17, 25-18, for its first win of the season.
Jelena Dait starred for the Blue Eagles, firing 14 points on 11 attacks and three aces to go with 13 excellent digs. Luanne Atienza added 12 points off nine kills and a block, while setter Jona Ajon tallied 13 excellent sets in the 66-minute encounter.
Despite Janella Mangahis’ 18-point effort built on 15 attacks and three aces, the Junior Lady Warriors remained winless.
The victory lifted Ateneo to 1-6 for seventh place, while UE stayed at the bottom of the standings.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Lastly, De La Salle Zobel recovered from its loss to UST last weekend by fending off the University of the Philippines Integrated School in four sets, 25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22.
Kylie Celada spearheaded the attack with 14 points built on 13 kills, while Zeianne Laborte followed with 13 markers from 11 kills. Azalia Arado and Jelliane Laborte contributed 10 points apiece in the one-hour, 36-minute match.
Defensive specialist Angel Cenizal held the fort on the floor with 21 excellent digs, while setter Sabine Valdez distributed 17 excellent sets.
Elisha Capus led UPIS with 11 points, while Natalie Cuervo stood tall at the net with seven blocks to finish with 10 markers.
The Junior Lady Spikers improved to 4-2, marking their best first-round finish since 2018 and keeping a share of third place.
The Junior Fighting Maroons slid to 2-5, good for sixth.
