Far Eastern University–Diliman and University of Santo Tomas clinched the last two slots in the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Final Four after dispatching De La Salle Santiago Zobel School and University of the East in contrasting sweeps on Monday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The Lady Baby Tamaraws had to fend off the Junior Lady Spikers in the first two sets before Aleah Devosora sparked a third-set rout to secure a 25–21, 25–18, 25–7 win and book their semifinals berth.
The Junior Golden Tigresses, meanwhile, held the Junior Lady Warriors to single digits in all three frames for a commanding 25–4, 25–5, 25–8 victory.
FEU-D, which wrapped up the eliminations at 9–5, will face second-seeded Adamson University (13–1), which holds a twice-to-beat advantage. UST (8–6) will need back-to-back wins over National University–Nazareth School (13–1) to reach the best-of-three Finals.
Both semifinal matches are scheduled for Saturday, December 6, at the Blue Eagle Gym. If necessary, the do-or-die games will be held on Monday, December 8, at the same Katipunan venue.
“Ito, sobrang saya namin, kasi nga ang sinabi ko sa mga bata, sa mga players ko, ang target muna namin is makapasok sa Final Four, and nakuha naman namin,” said FEU-D head coach Joanne Bunag.
“Number three kami ngayon; and ito, ise-celebrate muna namin pero bukas trabaho na naman kami for semifinals.”
Devosora scored most of her 14 points in the third set as FEU-D capitalized on DLSZ’s passing and defensive lapses, breaking a 2–2 deadlock into a 20–6 cushion.
Outside hitter Aislinn Alemaña briefly stopped the bleeding with a middle hit to make it 7–22, but Alexa Amana quickly restored order with a kill. Bernadine Boston then denied Alemaña’s next swing to end the match after one hour and four minutes.
Nigerian student-athlete MJ Udeagbala led FEU-D with 16 points built on 12 attacks and four blocks, while Devosora added 13 spikes and an ace. Joeyana Bongo came close to a double-double with nine points and seven digs.
Alemaña finished with 11 points and six excellent receptions for DLSZ, but reigning Best Libero Angel Cenizal was limited to just eight digs. The Junior Lady Spikers ended their season at 7–7, settling for fifth.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST, meanwhile, fielded all 16 players in its 47-minute domination of UE, with all non-liberos contributing to the scoring.
Middle blocker and second-generation athlete Erin Sotto led the way with 11 points on nine attacks and two aces, while team captain Kim Rubin anchored the serving line with six aces and three spikes.
Liberos Chasliey Pepito (four excellent receptions on six attempts) and Rochelle Olaguir (eight digs out of 12 attempts) helped steady UST’s floor defense to fuel its offense.
UE ended its comeback season at 1–13 in eighth place, tallying just six total kills — four from Daisy Tomaque and two from Janella Mangahis.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, league leaders National University–Nazareth School and Adamson University ended their elimination campaigns in style with sweeps of Ateneo High School and the University of the Philippines Integrated School, respectively.
Diza Berayo starred in the Lady Bullpups’ 25–12, 25–11, 25–15 win over Ateneo, finishing with 11 points, seven digs, and four excellent receptions as the defending champions secured the top seed in just 59 minutes.
Jelena Dait and Ainsly Santiago scored five points apiece for the Blue Eagles, who closed their season at 1–13 in seventh.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adamson, behind Janessa Buhay and libero Maegan Pineda, needed just one hour and one minute to dismiss UPIS, 25–15, 25–13, 25–20.
Buhay delivered 11 points on eight attacks, one block, and two aces, complementing Pineda’s double-double of 11 digs and seven excellent receptions.
UPIS, led by Nina Abad’s 11 points and Anya Callo’s nine, finished sixth with a 4–6 record.
