NU Lady Bullpups sweep UST to remain unbeaten in UAAP Girls’ Volleyball

The National University-Nazareth School made short work of the University of Santo Tomas, 25-17, 25-18, 25-18, for their fifth win in a row in a duel of undefeated teams in the UAAP Season 82 Girls’ Bolleyball tournament at Paco Arena on Wednesday.

The Lady Bullpups dominated the Junior Tigresses in the spiking department, 42-18, which keyed the straight-set romp.

In the other match, defending champion De La Salle-Zobel squandered a two-set lead against Adamson University but recovered just in time to extend its winning streak to three, 28-26, 25-21, 22-25, 7-25, 15-8.

Evangeline Alinsug led NU anew with 15 points and 10 digs, while Alyssa Solomon chipped in 13 points on eight spikes and four blocks.

Regine Jurado scored eight points. On the other hand, UST’s top scorer Renee Peñafiel was limited to only five.

“Yun talaga ang goal namin — to limit the points of those who’s been scoring really well for their previous games. And [since] Peñafiel had been scoring double-digits for how many games na, nag-focus kami doon by reviewing the positions,” said coach Regine Diego.

Trailing 5-14 in the third set, the Junior Tigresses launched a 10-3 blitz to cut the deficit to two points, 15-17. The Bullpups then retaliated with a 7-3 rally capped by Sofia Ildefonso’s quick kill for the win, to deny their foes a first-round sweep.

UST dropped to 5-1.

Lorien Gamboa led Junior Lady Spikers with 19 points, while Irah Jaboneta added 18.

De La Salle-Zobel coach Tina Salak was satisfied with the way her team elevated their level of play after improving to 3-2 for solo third place.

“Motivation ito sa mga bata, [so] lahat nag-step up. Sana maging composed pa rin kami, at sana hindi na ulit namin makalaban ang injuries,” said Salak.

The Baby Falcons got the first two points of the deciding set but the Junior Lady Spikers answered with 10 straight points to put the game away, 10-2.

Maria Lalongisip had 14 points for Adamson University, which dropped to 2-3.

Girls’ volleyball action resumes on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym to close out the first round.