Adamson University and National University-Nazareth School have set up a third consecutive showdown in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball Finals after both teams escaped tough Final Four challenges on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Defending champions Baby Falcons fought back from a 0-2 deficit to complete a reverse sweep against the fourth-ranked University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Tigresses, 20-25, 18-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-9, in a match that lasted exactly two hours.
Meanwhile, the Lady Bullpups, the top seeds aiming for redemption, turned a 1-2 deficit into a thrilling five-set victory over the Far Eastern University-Diliman Lady Baby Tamaraws, 25-18, 21-25, 21-25, 25-16, 18-16, also after two hours of intense play.
The battle for the crown begins on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena, with the exact time to be announced on Sunday.
This marks the third consecutive season that Adamson and NUNS will meet in the Finals.
The Lady Bullpups won in a classic three-game series in Season 85, before the Baby Falcons dominated Season 86 with a tournament sweep.
In their elimination round meetings this season, NUNS swept Adamson.
The Lady Bullpups won their first meeting, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-13, on October 2, followed by a 25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 25-17 victory on October 27.
“In the first place, talagang kailangan namin ma-correct ‘yung mga lapses namin. Kailangan mentally rin prepared. Ito ‘yung madudugong sitwasyon na papasok na kami ng Finals,” said Baby Falcons head coach JP Yude.
“But I know, I always trust in the Lord na, I always pray na He will give us the right mindset. A strong mind and a strong heart always, kasi sabi ko nga sa mga bata, huwag kayong maglaro for ourselves, maglaro kayo para sa Panginoon. Kaya hindi pwedeng half-hearted, dapat whole-hearted para ma-glorify niyo Siya,” added the former Soaring Falcon.
Abi Segui and Sam Cantada, holdovers from last year’s champion team that swept the season, sparked a strong comeback in the third set and took over the decisive fifth set.
With the score tied at 4-all, Segui’s back-to-back service aces and Cantada’s combination play from the middle turned the tide, giving Adamson a 12-6 advantage.
The Baby Falcons’ leaders inspired the team, and Lhouriz Tuddao pushed them to match point with two aces. Ellaine Gonzalvo sealed the win with her 21st point of the match.
“In-encourage lang po talaga namin sila na, na ‘pag may isang lumalaban, dalawa, o tatlo, kailangang sumama na lahat kasi team effort po talaga ‘to. Collective effort talaga dapat ‘yung gagawin namin. Kailangan po sumama po sila sa‘min ‘pag lumalaban kami,” said Segui, who also finished with 21 points, including six from the service line, and 12 digs.
Gonzalvo contributed a match-high 21 points, including two crucial attacks in the fifth set, and 10 digs.
Cantada added 15 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Sofia Arasan, who filled the shoes left by Season 86 Best Setter Fei Sagaysay, tallied 14 excellent sets.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST’s Jhellane Auxtero paced the Junior Golden Tigresses with 14 points and 11 digs, while Avril Bron chipped in 11 markers, including five from blocks.
Kim Rubin also finished with 14 points and four excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the other semifinal, NUNS overcame FEU-Diliman in a tense five-setter, with the Lady Bullpups pulling through against Baby Tamaraws’ captain Raine Alonzo.
Harlyn Serneche and Deneese Daylisan stepped up for NUNS in the decider, while Alonzo had single-handedly lifted FEU-D to a 16-all tie.
A crucial service error by Alonzo handed the Lady Bullpups match point, and Diza Berayo sealed the win with a well-placed ball into the open spot of FEU’s court.
“Expected naman namin na hindi magiging madali ang Final Four kasi lahat ng apat na teams na pumasok is malalakas. I’m happy na ‘yung mga players hindi bumitaw kahit down na kami. Nahirapan man, pero naitawid,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
Serneche and Berayo both finished with 19 points, with Berayo adding 12 digs, while Daylisan contributed 11 points.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Alonzo had an explosive 26-point performance, with 23 of those coming from attacks for the Baby Tams.
Aleah Devosora chipped in 12 points and six digs, while Sheila Pascual finished with nine markers and six excellent receptions.
The Junior Golden Tigresses secured third place, while the Lady Baby Tamaraws finished fourth.
