By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
National University-Nazareth School and Adamson University both cruised to identical 2-0 records after decisive victories in the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
The defending champion Lady Bullpups dominated De La Salle-Zobel, 25-15, 25-16, 25-17.
NUNS came out firing in the final set, building a 14-7 cushion behind attacks from Diza Berayo and Akeyla Bartolabac. The Junior Lady Spikers tried to claw back, cutting the deficit to two with a five-point streak.
Berayo, however, caught fire from the service line, drilling four aces in a seven-point run that restored the Lady Bullpups’ control.
An attack from Bartolabac then pushed NUNS to match point before Ysabella Cruz and Micaella Gould combined for the match-clinching block.
“Maganda ‘yung start namin, pero importante [na] every game nakikita ko na nag-i-improve kami individually and as a group. Actually ni-remind ko rin sila na ang importante ‘yung kung gaano kami ka-[disiplinado], regardless kung sino kalaban namin,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
“Sa amin kasi, kahit sinong team, basta ang importante ‘yung galaw namin.”
Berayo spearheaded the charge with 10 points on seven attacks and three aces, adding six digs. Meanwhile, Bartolabac contributed nine points from three kills and three aces in the 69-minute match.
Slash Obera and Cruz also added seven points apiece.
Jelliane Laborte paced the Junior Lady Spikers with six points. DLSZ dropped to a 1-1 record.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Earlier in the day, Adamson rolled past University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-12, 25-19, 25-11.
In the final frame, the Junior Fighting Maroons initially kept pace, taking advantage of Adamson errors. But when the errors shifted to their side, Adamson seized control, rattling off nine unanswered points to build a 17-8 lead.
Francheska Adem then took over at the service line, firing three aces in a five-point run to seal the sweep.
In just two sets of action, Adem delivered eight points, including three service aces and two blocks. Ellaine Gonzalvo added seven points on six attacks, while Alexa Katigbak tallied 13 excellent sets.
Libero Maegan Pineda anchored the defense with 13 digs in the 63-minute match. With the loss, UPIS fell to 1-1.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University-Diliman rebounded from opening-day losses, improving to 1-1.
The Junior Golden Tigresses, who lost to NUNS in their first match, dominated Ateneo De Manila University, 25-10, 25-6, 25-18.
“Ni-remind lang sila kanina na ang kalaban nila dito ay ‘yung sarili nila. How they’re going to make decisions in crucial moments,” said UST assistant coach Lerma Giron.
She also noted that some players in the third set, such as Kimberly Peralta and Lianne Sanchez, were Grade 7 and 8 students getting their first taste of UAAP action.
“‘Yung mga senior players namin, kailangan pa nila talaga mag-stand out. ‘Yung maturity ba. Akuin ‘yung responsibilidad na they’re seniors already, na ‘yung mga kasama nila, sa kanila nakatingin,” added Giron.
“Sila ang dapat mag-lead, so ‘yung maturity pa sa ginagawa nila na akuin nila kung magkamali man, eh ‘di panindigan nila tapos bumawi.”
Former Junior Lady Spiker Erin Sotto, sister of former UAAP MVP Kai Sotto, led UST with 10 points from seven kills and a block. Meanwhile, Kim Rubin contributed nine points — five attacks and four service aces — in just two sets of the 61-minute match. \
Ateneo remains winless in two outings.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
FEU-D bounced back from their loss to Adamson with a 25-9, 25-17, 25-17 win over University of the East.
Aleah Devosora was unstoppable from the service line, firing 16 aces to finish with 21 points alongside five attacks. Ifunanya Udeagbala added six markers in two sets, five coming from kills, in the 62-minute victory.
Despite the defeat, Janella Mangahis stood out for the Junior Lady Warriors, tallying eight points on four attacks and four service aces.
