Far Eastern University-Diliman and the University of Santo Tomas remained unbeaten after six matches in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament, setting the stage for their much-anticipated showdown on Sunday at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
The Baby Tamaraws fended off a gritty challenge from De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, winning in straight sets, 25–19, 25–18, 25–19 while the Junior Golden Spikers were even more convincing, sweeping the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25–22, 25–17, 25–14.
Only one of the two teams will remain undefeated after their clash on Tuesday, October 13, the final day of the first round. The highly anticipated matchup will cap a quadruple-header at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center at 3 p.m.
Kenneth Maliwanag scored back-to-back kills in the third set as the Baby Tamaraws doubled up on the Junior Green Spikers, 14–7. Substitute Von Andrei Padrones then extended FEU-Diliman’s advantage to double digits at 19–9.
Attacks from Kooper Arguelles and Brett Urriquia, coupled with FEU-Diliman errors, allowed DLSZ to extend the set. However, Ahmad Korooshavi’s defensive pressure at the net forced Angelo Ronquillo into a hitting error to seal the victory.
Korooshavi led the Baby Tamaraws with 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks, while Maliwanag added 11 markers on eight spikes and three kill blocks.
Karch Carolino remained steady despite the rotation changes, finishing with 16 excellent sets and four points on three blocks and one service ace.
Despite the victory, head coach Rene Dulay lamented his team’s shaky finish in the third set and the missed opportunities of his role players.
“So far, after six matches, na-achieve ‘yung goal eh. Definitely, it will boil down to the last game namin (ng first round) kung nasaan na kami,” said the second-year tactician.
“Pero sa nakikita ko, nakukuha ‘yung target, pero ‘yung game ngayon, hindi ako satisfied. Siguro, sumasabay kami sa galaw ng kalaban. Overwhelmed lang sila siguro do’n. Actually kasi, siguro dahil naka-focus na sila sa Tuesday,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
In contrast, the Junior Golden Spikers drew strong performances from their usual substitutes against the Fighting Maroons, with Kristoff Tequillo leading the way with 17 points, seven digs, and eight excellent receptions.
Jireh Torotoro added 11 points on nine attacks, one block, and one ace, while Miguel Panganiban made his first full-match appearance as the playmaker, tallying 15 excellent sets and two points.
UST head coach Aying Esteban remained pleased with his players’ progress but challenged them to raise their level against FEU-Diliman in their crucial matchup.
“Andoon pa rin kami; satisfied pa rin ako sa ginagalaw ng mga bata. Basta kami, focused pa rin sa ginagawa; matapos namin ang first round na walang injury, maganda pangangatawan para umabot kami sa second round,” the long-time mentor shared.
“Mas high intensity ‘yung training namin, mas pang-crucial game na talaga. So, siyempre, winning, ‘yun pa rin ang hinahanap namin. At siyempre, ang sa ‘kin, play at their best at ‘yung peak ng laro nila, ipakita nila sa araw na ‘yon,” Esteban added.
The Junior Green Spikers, who fell to a 1–5 win-loss record, were led by Urriquia, who finished with 13 points on 10 attacks and three blocks.
Meanwhile, last season’s Rookie of the Year Justine Jusayan paced the Fighting Maroons with nine points, six digs, and four excellent receptions as UPIS also dropped to 1–5.
On the other hand, last season’s finalists University of the East and National University-Nazareth School took care of Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson University, respectively, setting up a rematch on Tuesday.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The defending champion Junior Warriors needed just 50 minutes to dispatch the Blue Eagles, 25–10, 25–11, 25–7, while the Bullpups asserted their dominance over the Baby Falcons, 25–16, 26–24, 25–17.
UE and NUNS sit in a tie for third to fourth places with identical 4–2 records, trailing the unbeaten leaders. The two teams will break that deadlock in their 1 p.m. matchup on Tuesday.
Khian Gorospe impressed in his stint as the titleholders’ main setter over the final two sets, finishing with nine excellent sets, one block, and four aces as he picked up where team captain Mharl Dullete left off.
All of UE’s spikers who saw action scored, with Nathan Evangelista contributing nine points and four digs. Steven David added seven points in two sets, while Karlo Niogan chipped in five.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
For the Bullpups, captain Ronnie Millan led the way with 14 points on nine attacks, four blocks, and one ace. Ivan Dayrit added 11 markers, while Kiel Biscocho finished with 10 points and seven excellent receptions.
Lance Babon paced the Baby Falcons with 13 points and six excellent receptions, while James Bernabe added 12 markers.
Ateneo and UPIS open Tuesday’s quadruple-header at 9 a.m., followed by Adamson and DLSZ at 11 a.m.
