Diza Berayo of National University Nazareth School was named the top individual player in the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
The 17-year-old outside spiker from Silay City dominated the race for the league’s top individual award, earning 97.959 statistical points — 5.193 SPs ahead of Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Nigerian opposite spiker MJ Udeagbala.
“Hindi ko inexpect ‘tong award. Actually, ang goal lang namin this season is to retain the championship. Thankful ako na binigay sa ‘kin ni Lord ‘to, pero ang focus namin is to win the championship again,” said the wing hitter as the Bullpups go for the clincher later in the day.
Berayo was the league’s second-leading scorer with 199 points, generated from 170 attacks at 36.09% efficiency (third in the league), nine blocks, and 20 aces (seventh). She also ranked fifth in digs (2.41 per set) and third in reception efficiency at 32.70%.
The graduating spiker led NUNS to a 13-1 record in the elimination round and joined an elite Lady Bullpups club alongside former MVPs Faith Nisperos (UAAP Season 79, 2016), Bella Belen (Seasons 80 & 82, 2017 & 2019), and Kianne Olango (Season 85, 2022).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the boys’ division, University of Santo Tomas’ Rainier Lorayes was named MVP after topping the statistical points race with 92.708.
The 18-year-old Pasigueño led all scorers in the elimination round with 245 points, ranking fourth in attacks with a 42.45% success rate, 10th in blocks at 0.42 per set, and first in aces at 0.29 per set.
“Unang-una po talaga, nagpapasalamat po ako kay Lord kasi kung wala po ‘yung skill, ‘yung talent na binigay Niya, hindi ko po ‘to magagawa. Nagpapasalamt po ako sa IPEA, sa UST community, sa coaches namin, and sa lahat ng naniwala at nagtiwala. And para po ‘to sa papa ko, sana proud siya sa‘kin,” said the graduating ace.
Lorayes became only the second Junior Golden Spiker to win the MVP award, following Joncriz Ayco in Season 86 (2023).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Joining Berayo in the girls’ Elite Team were Udeagbala (best opposite spiker), UST’s Kim Rubin (second-best outside spiker), FEU-D’s Cathlyn Umal (first-best middle blocker), University of the Philippines Integrated School’s Anya Callo (second-best middle blocker), De La Salle-Zobel’s Sabine Valdez (best setter), and Adamson’s Maegan Pineda (best libero) — all first-time winners.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Lorayes’ boys’ Elite Team included teammate Karl Escobal (second-best outside spiker), NUNS’ Ronnie Millan (first-best middle blocker), FEU-D’s Ron De Vera (second-best middle blocker), NUNS’s Xandrex Ragusta (best opposite spiker), FEU-D’s Brix Landicho (best setter), and Adamson’s Juris Guevarra (best libero). Guevarra also earned last season’s best libero honor.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Rookies of the Year were NUNS’ Jhayna Bulandres in the girls’ division and UPIS’ Justine Jusayan in the boys’ division. – JG
