By: Nicole Gonzales
University of the East pulled off a reverse sweep over defending champion University of Santo Tomas, 18-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 18-16, to climb to solo second UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament, Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
With the win, UE climbed to solo second at 10-3, while defending champion UST slipped to 8-5.
The Junior Warriors (10-3) also moved ahead of the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, who fell to 9-4 after losing to top-ranked National University-Nazareth School Bullpups, 25-22, 26-24, 18-25, 25-23.
UST controlled the first two sets, dominating the net and overpowering UE’s offense.
Down 0-2, the Junior Warriors shifted momentum in the third set, closing it out on an off-the-block hit from Paul Roque.
“Yung first two sets nakuha ng UST. So, tinanong ko yung team, ‘ano ang plano natin before going to this game?’. Hindi pwedeng gusto lang namin manalo, kailangan naming kumilos,” said UE head coach Herbert Dizon.
Emman Marcelino sparked UE’s offense in the fourth, helping the Junior Warriors level the match at two sets apiece.
The deciding fifth set turned into a grueling 21-minute showdown, with both teams trading points deep into the frame.
Roque delivered a crucial spike through the block to put UE ahead, 16-15.
In the final exchanges, UE sealed the comeback after two consecutive errors from the UST side.
According to Dizon, the Junior Warriors are pushing hard for a twice-to-beat incentive, with many of his players in their final high school season.
“Yung players namin na graduating, galing sila from silver to bronze, pero they all wish na sana, bago sila makagraduate, ay makakuha sila ng, kahit papaano, gold,” he added.
Marcelino fired 17 points—all from attacks—along with 18 receptions and six excellent digs for the Junior Warriors.
Roque added 16 points, while team captain Clarence Gianan chipped in 13 markers built on nine attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
For UST, Rainier Lorayes erupted for 31 points off 27 attacks, three blocks, and an ace. Bernard Capuno contributed 15 points, while Karl Escobal finished with 12 from 11 spikes and a block.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, NUNS clinched the first twice-to-beat advantage after defeating the Baby Tamaraws.
“Napag-aralan namin kahit papano yung galaw ng FEU, nakakatuwa na nagawa nila ng players yung lahat ng plano namin mangyari, pati yung defense na ginawa namin sa mga ace players nila [ng FEU],” said NUNS head coach Edgar Barroga after steering the Bullpups to their fifth straight win.
Jerowe Biscocho and Xandrex Ragusta led the Bullpups with 17 points apiece, scoring 16 and 15 attacks, respectively. Middle blocker Ronnie Millan added 14 points from nine spikes and five kill blocks.
Tyler Ramos led the Baby Tamaraws with 19 points, all from attacks. Kenneth Maliwang followed with 18 markers off 17 attacks and a block, while Edrielle Manlapaz contributed 10 points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adamson University also prevailed, defeating De La Salle Zobel in four sets, 25-21, 23-25, 25-13, 25-17, to stay close with UST.
Adamson improved to 7-6, keeping its Final Four hopes alive after UST’s loss, while DLSZ dropped to 4-9.
James Bernabe powered the Baby Falcons with 15 points from 12 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Kirk Partosa added 12 markers, while John Reyes had a standout blocking effort with seven blocks on top of three attacks.
For the Junior Green Spikers, Andrei Montillano and Kyle Aure delivered 15 points each, combining for 26 attack points, as the rest of the team was held to single-digit outputs.
Adamson is now set for a crucial showdown against UST on Friday, November 28, at Paco Arena in Manila.
A UST win would secure the Junior Golden Spikers a Final Four berth, while an Adamson victory would force a playoff for the last spot.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Earlier in the day, University of the Philippines Integrated School outlasted Ateneo de Manila University in four sets, 25-17, 25-18, 20-25, 30-28.
UPIS improved to 2-11, while Ateneo remained winless at 0-13.
Justine Jusayan fired 21 points for UPIS—19 attacks and two aces—while Prince Jimenez supplied 14, all from attacks.
For Ateneo, Xavier Castillo tallied 14 points from 13 spikes and a block. Ethan Rivera added 13, while Didey de Ocampo finished with seven.
