Far Eastern University-Diliman snapped University of the East’s four-match winning streak with a marathon 25-20, 22-25, 26-28, 25-18, 16-14 victory to gain solo second in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
Using their failed third-set comeback as fuel, the Baby Tamaraws carried that momentum into a strong start in the fourth set, with senior Tyler Ramos and last year’s Rookie of the Year Kenneth Maliwanag leading the way to force a decisive fifth set.
The Junior Red Warriors, however, relied on the stellar play in the middle from team captain Clarence Gianan to take an early 8-6 lead in the fifth set before the changeover.
A fierce battle ensued, culminating in a 14-14 deadlock. Then two straight points from FEU-D — an Edrielle Manlapaz kill for match point and Brix Landicho’s denial of Emman Marcelino — sealed the Baby Tamaraws’ 8-2 win-loss record and solo second place.
“I told my boys we need these wins for the second round. They really played a good game — the drive and the willingness of the team were there, that’s why we won,” head coach Rene Dulay said after his team replicated their first-round 25-18, 25-17, 19-25, 25-19 victory against UE.
“Sabi ko sa kanila na until hindi pa natatapos yung set, hangga’t yung score hindi pa 25, pwede pa ‘yan. So, inilaban lang namin. Cinompose lang namin ‘yung mga bata, kinausap lang namin sila kaya nag-comeback, kinapos lang nung huli,” he added, referring to the third-set run after falling behind 10-18.
Maliwanag paced the Baby Tamaraws with 20 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces, while Ramos and Manlapaz contributed 19 and 17 markers, respectively.
It was the heads-up playmaking and court leadership of Landicho that proved pivotal in this crucial matchup, though. The setter finished with 23 excellent assists and five points, including the match-clinching block.
UE dropped to 7-3 and remains in third place in the tight race for the Final Four, despite Paul Roque’s 27-point explosion and Gianan’s steady 14-point contribution.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
National University Nazareth School maintained its lead in the standings and the semifinals race after a 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of defending champion University of Santo Tomas.
The win improved the Bullpups’ record to 9-1, with Xandrex Ragusta and Elmerson Lejano producing 13 points each.
With the Junior Golden Spikers closing in during the third set, Ragusta and captain-setter Brylle Crespo returned to steady the ship. The two helped NU secure its second straight victory in the second round after suffering its first defeat at the hands of the Junior Red Warriors.
“Sinimulan namin sa mindsetting kasi hindi naging maganda ‘yung pinakita ng team (against UE), lalo na ‘yung attitude. Parang na-feel namin na na-dominate kami that game, na hindi maghanda as coming from a 7-0 record nung first round,” Crespo, who finished with 15 excellent sets and two points, shared.
“Kaya nag-mindset lang kami bawat isa, kung ano ba ‘yung mga naging kulang namin; tapos sa training, pinukpok lang din namin mga sarili namin.”
Rainier Lorayes kept the fight alive for the reigning champs with 15 points.
UST remains at 6-4 and in fourth place, just a match ahead of Adamson University and two over De La Salle Zobel.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Both Adamson and DLSZ emerged victorious during the day, securing contrasting wins over Ateneo and the University of the Philippines Integrated School to stay in contention for Final Four berths.
The Baby Falcons dominated the Blue Eagles, 25-16, 25-20, 25-11, to move to an even 5-5 win-loss record, with James Bernabe leading the charge with 14 points on 12 attacks, one block, and one ace.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Junior Green Spikers defeated the Junior Fighting Maroons, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21, to rise to 4-6, with John Kooper Arguelles’ timely 20-point performance proving decisive.
Rookie Prince Jimenez contributed 19 points for UPIS, but it wasn’t enough as the squad missed the Final Four with a 1-9 record, remaining in seventh place.
Xavier Castillo, who scored eight points against Adamson, and the rest of the Ateneo side continue to search for their elusive first win after 10 outings.
