It’s the same cast in the girls’ division of the UAAP high school beach volleyball tournament.
Adamson University, National University Nazareth School, and Far Eastern University-Diliman secured victories on Friday to join the University of Santo Tomas in the semifinals at Sands SM By The Bay.
The Baby Falcons’ Maegan Pineda and Ella Gonzalvo defeated UP Integrated School’s Anya Capus and Niña Abad, 21-9, 21-5, and De La Salle-Zobel’s Aislinn Alemaña and Tessa Bonafe, 21-11, 21-10, improving their record to 5-1.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Back-to-back title-seeking Lady Bullpups also rose to 5-1 as Faith Mangyao and Alaiza Candelario toppled University of the East’s Janella Mangahis and Nicole Agustin, 21-13, 21-8.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Baby Tamaraws claimed the last Final Four spot, as Franz Premaylon and Alexa Amana defeated DLSZ’s Alemaña and Bonafe, 21-16, 21-12. Premaylon and Claire Bongo later sealed their place by sweeping Ateneo’s Louise Atienza and Ainsly Santiago, 21-13, 21-11.
The Fighting Maroons and the Junior Lady Spikers bowed out of contention, finishing with identical 2-5 records.
University of Santo Tomas moved closer to a perfect seven-match sweep after Cheng Dadang and Angelica Del Mar overpowered UPIS’ Capus and Abad, 21-7, 21-9. UST will aim for a flawless 7-0 campaign against NUNS at 7 a.m. Saturday.
On the boys’ side, the race for the final two semifinals berths remains wide open.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adamson secured a playoff spot with a 4-2 record after Brice Malinao and James Bernabe edged UPIS’ Marco Bamba and Prince Jimenez, 21-17, 12-21, 15-6, and then overcame UE’s Mharl Dullete and Emman Marcelino, 25-23, 21-16.
FEU-D’s James Coronel and Kenneth Maliwanag stayed in contention by defeating DLSZ’s Luis Papa and Brett Urriquia, 21-11, 21-14, and UPIS’ Bamba and Jimenez, 21-15, 17-21, 15-12.
The Baby Tamaraws are now tied with the Junior Warriors at 3-3, just one game behind the Baby Falcons.
Friday’s 10:45 a.m. match between Adamson and FEU-D, followed by a 2:45 p.m. clash between UE and Ateneo, will determine the three teams’ Final Four fates.
Defending champion UST and NUNS will battle for the No. 1 ranking at 10 a.m.
JP Apidian and Karl Escobal gave the Tiger Sands a 6-0 record after dominating Ateneo’s Xavier Castillo and Miguel Avendano, 21-4, 21-8.
The Bullpups also extended their unbeaten streak to six matches as Ronnie Millan and Kian Tan defeated DLSZ’s Papa and Arguelles, 21-13, 21-13.
Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons and the Junior Green Spikers fell to 1-5. – TJ
