National University-Nazareth School grabbed the outright Finals ticket while defending champion De La Salle-Zobel booked the remaining semifinals spot at the end of the UAAP Season 82 girls’ volleyball eliminations at the Blue Eagle Gym Sunday.
The Lady Bullpups completed a 12-match sweep with a 25-17, 25-9, 20-25, 25-17 dismantling of Far Eastern University-Diliman, while the Junior Lady Spikers scored a 25-13, 19-25, 25-21, 25-23 victory over University of the East.
In the other match, Adamson University clinched the third seed after sweeping University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-11, 25-18, 25-8.
Evangeline Alinsug topscored for NU with 19 points, Alyssa Solomon uncorked 18 points, while former MVP Mhicaela Belen had an all-around game with 15 markers, 11 digs, and eight receptions.
First-year coach Regine Diego knows that her Bullpups cannot rest their laurels.
“We have to recover better and we have to be on the perfect condition come Finals, and lastly, yung skills training kailangan talagang iperfect yung small details kasi siyempre yung small details ang magpapatalo sa amin,” Diego said.
The Baby Lady Tamaraws stumbled to their fourth-straight game and fell short of a Final Four spot with a 5-7 card.
Angel Canino led De La Salle-Zobel with 18 points on 14 hits, two blocks and two service aces while Gerzel Petallo chipped in 10 markers.
Coach Tina Salak was relieved that her Junior Lady Spikers made this far.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila na basta in control tayo, take advantage, hindi natin kayang sabihan yung ibang teams to win, kaya importanteng ma-secure namin itong win na ito,” said Salak after her team finished the elims with an even 6-6 card.
Kate Santiago unloaded eight aces to wound up with 18 points while Ayesha Juegos added 11 markers as the Baby Falcons settled for third with a 7-5 mark.
Adamson University coach Lerma Giron knows that her team must elevate their game in the step-ladder semis.
“Actually, even though we won, marami pa ring flaws. Siyempre, looking forward sa final four, kaya dapat yung kilos na gusto namin sa semis, dapat ipinakita na nila dito,” Giron said.
UE finished the season in sixth place at 2-10, while UPIS ended the season winless in 12 matches.
