Far Eastern University–Diliman and the University of Santo Tomas dismantled the twice-to-beat advantages of their higher-seeded opponents, scoring contrasting wins over the University of the East and National University–Nazareth School, respectively, in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Final Four on Saturday at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
Third-seeded FEU-D needed two hours and 15 minutes to outlast the No. 2 Junior Red Warriors in five sets, 20-25, 25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 15-9. On the other hand, defending champions UST swept the Bullpups, 25-18, 25-21, 25-17.
Both do-or-die matches are set for Monday at the same Katipunan venue.
Kenneth Maliwanag, building on his strong middle-set performance, shone in the fifth and final frame with three crucial kills that kept the Baby Tamaraws afloat at 13-8.
Emman Marcelino tried to answer for the Junior Red Warriors, but Tyler Ramos sealed the win with a booming backrow hit.
“Kumapit naman sila, pero ang pinaka-key was ‘yung willingness naming manalo, ‘yung drive na ando’n. Everything happened kasi gusto naming manalo; kaya sa totoo lang, I’m very proud sa kanila,” said first-year head coach Rene Dulay.
“With the very short time na magkasama kami pero they did well. Sabi ko nga sa kanila before the fifth set, ‘Whatever happens in this game, I’m already proud of you.’ Dagdagan pa ‘yung aspiration na makapasok sa Finals, pero dahil do’n kaya siguro nanalo,” added the concurrent men’s deputy mentor.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, fourth-seeded UST pulled off an upset over the top-seeded Bullpups, with one of the league’s premier outside hitters, Rainier Lorayes, delivering the killing blows.
Lorayes, a holdover from last year’s championship squad, started the fourth and final set on fire, putting UST ahead 11-6 before Zach Maude added two middle kills. Bernard Capuno and Markus Julian helped the Junior Golden Spikers pull further ahead, with Lorayes ultimately closing out the match.
“Nag-respond ‘yung mga bata; pinaghandaan namin ‘yung semis talaga. Nag-double time kami sa training; lahat ng motivation ginawa namin. Sabi ko nga nung elims, ang target lang namin is mag-Final Four, and ngayong nandito na kami, ibang labanan na ‘to,” said UST head coach Aying Esteban.
“Nakita natin ngayon, nagsama-sama sila; pinakita nila ‘yung camaraderie nila. Madaling manalo ‘pag gano’n,” he added.
In the FEU-D vs UE match, down eight in the fourth set, Ramos led a 5-0 run capped by a booming backrow kill, cutting the deficit to 13-17.
Clarence Gianan and Paul Roque combined to force a decider for UE, but the momentum from FEU-D’s mini-run proved decisive in the fifth set.
Maliwanag, the Season 87 Rookie of the Year, finished with 25 points on 24 attacks and one block, while Ramos contributed 24 markers, 23 from spikes.
Eldrielle Manlapaz added 10 points, sharing playing time with Samuel Hopkins, who finished with three. Brix Landicho and Karch Carolino orchestrated the Baby Tamaraws’ offense as alternating setters, with Landicho accounting for 26 excellent sets of the team’s 33.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For UE, Roque led with 20 points, while Miguel Catanghal also recorded a season-best 20 markers.
Lorayes topped UST with 15 points on 13 attacks, one block, and one service ace, while Karl Escobal impressed in his first Final Four with 13 points.
Libero Andrei Amaneo stifled NUNS’ attack, finishing with a double-double of 17 digs and 11 excellent receptions. Chester Esteban contributed 26 excellent sets.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Xandrex Ragusta was the lone Bullpup in double figures with 10 points, as the usually formidable net defense of the top-seeded team managed only five blocks.
