By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
ADAMSON University pulled off a dramatic reverse sweep of University of Santo Tomas, while National University–Nazareth School kept its perfect record intact with a win over Far Eastern University–Diliman in the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at Paco Arena.
The Lady Baby Falcons refused to fold, clawing back to outlast the Junior Golden Tigresses, 18-25, 15-25, 25-23, 27-25, 15-11, to seize a share of first place.
After erasing a six-point deficit in the fourth set to force a decider, Adamson surged in the fifth, racing to an 8-2 lead behind Ellaine Gonzalvo’s relentless swings and Seanne Ordonio’s steady net defense.
UST showed grit, however, capitalizing on Adamson’s attack errors and leaning on Jezel Silvestre to trim the deficit to just two, 9-11.
But the Lady Baby Falcons held on as Elaine Garces executed a crafty 1-2 play to reach match point, with Francheska Adem providing the final touch to complete the comeback.
“Based on the situation… sobrang hirap kami talaga sa first and second set. Sabi ko sa mga bata, ‘Kaya natin manalo. Kaya natin, matatrabaho natin. Balik tayo doon sa pinag-aralan natin, sa training natin, and then kailangan lang natin i-execute nang maayos’. So na-execute naman nang maayos [at] tinapangan ng mga bata especially ‘yung puso tsaka ‘yung mind talaga nila is maayos,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude.
“Itong game na ‘to is napakalaking boost talaga sa confidence ng mga bata kasi sa unang part, down na eh. Nada-down na sila eh. So ngayon, nakita na nila capability nila na kaya nila manalo kahit ang lalaki ng mga kalaban namin then ang lalakas din, ang gaganda nila mag-serve,” he added.
Gonzalvo proved unstoppable for the Lady Baby Falcons, scoring 22 points on 20 attacks and adding 11 digs.
Kristal Martin contributed 17 markers, including three service aces, eight digs, and four receptions, while Adem added 15 points in the two-hour contest. Garces orchestrated the offense with 19 excellent sets, as libero Maegan Pineda anchored the defense with 18 digs.
Pelaez led the Junior Golden Tigresses with 17 points on 14 attacks and two aces, while Kim Rubin and Silvestre added 14 and 13 markers, respectively.
UST dropped to 1-2, tying FEU-Diliman for fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Earlier, defending champion NUNS overcame a slow start to subdue FEU-D, 17-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-17.
“Kailangan namin maayos siguro ‘yung discipline pagdating sa game from start to end, kailangan nandun pa rin [and] same intensity,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
“Actually, sobrang challenging sa amin kasi parang five players [from the team] kasama rin sa Asian Youth Games so ‘yung training medyo hati pa. So ‘yun ‘yung kailangan naming ma-balance, ‘yung preparation ng UAAP sa next game, and ‘yung preparation namin sa Asian Youth Games,” he added.
The Lady Bullpups took control in the fourth set, stringing together eight straight points to build a 17-10 lead, fueled by attacks from Diza Berayo and a pair of aces from Akeyla Bartolabac.
FEU-D could not recover, as Bartolabac’s off-the-block attack brought NUNS to match point at 24-16.
A brief reception error allowed FEU-D a point, but Berayo quickly sealed the win with a kill through the block.
Berayo led the Lady Bullpups with a season-best 26 points on 24 kills and eight digs.
Jhaynna Bulandres added 13 points on nine attacks with three aces, while libero Atasha Doroja anchored the defense with 15 excellent digs in the one-hour, 34-minute contest.
For FEU-D, Ifunanya Udeagbala posted 20 points, including 18 kills and two blocks. The Lady Bullpups improved to 3-0, tying for the top spot, while the Lady Baby Tamaraws fell to 1-2.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Integrated School returned to the win column, defeating Ateneo de Manila University in five sets, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13, moving into a share of third place at 2-1.
Nina Abad led the Fighting Maroons with 18 points on 12 kills and six aces, while Elisha Capus and Anya Callo added 12 each.
Gian Damian kept Ateneo competitive with 17 points on 15 kills, and Luanne Atienza contributed 15 markers with nine attacks and four blocks.
Ateneo remained winless at 0-3.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
De La Salle Zobel bounced back from its loss to NUNS, cruising past University of the East in just 50 minutes, 25-6, 25-8, 25-9.
Jelliane Laborte spearheaded DLSZ’s attack with 14 points on 8-of-12 kills, five aces, and a block, while Justise Macasaet added 12 markers, including a match-best seven service aces, both achieved in just two sets of play.
The Junior Lady Spikers improved to 2-1, tying UPIS for third place, while the Junior Lady Warriors fell to 0-3.
