By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Defending champion National University-Nazareth School and Adamson University held on to their perfect 6-0 slates ahead of their much-anticipated rematch of last season’s finals in the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Lady Bullpups continued their dominant run, cruising past Ateneo de Manila University, 25-7, 25-14, 25-6, in just under an hour.
NUNS wasted no time asserting dominance in the third set, breaking away early with an 8-2 start.
The Lady Bullpups strung together run after run, including a blistering eight-point run that stretched the lead to 21-4 before closing out the frame with ease.
Ateneo managed only two more points from Jelena Dait before Ysabella Cruz’s attack punctuated the Lady Bullpups’ dominant showing.
Following the victory, NUNS now gears up for its matchup against Adamson, their first meeting since last season’s finals.
“‘Yung mga previous [games] pa lang namin, parang looking forward na rin kami doon [sa game against Adamson]. Kaso parang may mga games pa rin kami na kailangan pa rin namin trabahuhin, but kasama naman na siya doon sa preparation namin before,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
“Last week pa lang, mina-mindset na namin na itong [game against] Adamson ay paparating na and last game din siya ng first round, so napaka-importante rin sa’min ‘yung game na ‘yun. Paghahandaan namin siya in two days to prepare physically and mentally.”
Cruz led all scorers with 11 points on eight attacks and two blocks, while Diza Berayo chipped in nine points off seven attacks and two aces, along with 12 excellent digs. Slash Obera and Akeyla Bartolabac contributed eight points apiece.
The Blue Eagles slipped to their sixth straight defeat.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Earlier, the Lady Baby Falcons showcased their depth in a dominant 25-4, 25-8, 25-14 rout of University of the East, keeping in step with the Lady Bullpups atop the standings.
Janessa Buhay and Kristal Martin powered another balanced showing with eight points apiece in two sets, as the match wrapped up in just 49 minutes.
Buhay dominated from the service line with six aces, while Martin posted four attacks and a block. Janna Dizon, Sofia Baloloy, and Seanne Ordonio added five apiece, all in just two sets of play.
“I always remind lang din ‘yung mga bata na we always give our best. Si Lord na ang bahala doon kung ano ang magiging resulta ng game,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude.
“We go back to the drawing board, prepare nang maayos… and siyempre, mentally kailangan ma-[ready] din sila nang maayos so encouragement, motivation so that ma-[apply] nila na on how they play [and] on how they face ‘yung ganoong sitwasyon. Kasi pagdating ng game na ‘yun is… Siyempre, there’s a lot of pressure,” he added, as they look to redeem themselves in their first rematch with NUNS since the finals defeat.
The loss kept the Junior Lady Warriors winless at 0–6.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, University of Santo Tomas stayed on a roll, dispatching De La Salle Zobel in four hard-fought sets, 25-21, 28-26, 22-25, 27-25, for its third straight win.
Nicole Pelaez starred with 19 points built on 16 kills and two aces, while Kim Rubin added 16 from 15 attacks in the hour-and-52-minute match.
Andrianna Menchavez and Erin Sotto finished with 11 points apiece.
Aneeza Santos dished out 16 excellent sets, while libero Chasliey Pepito anchored the floor with 22 excellent digs.
For the Junior Lady Spikers, Zeianne Laborte topscored with 18 points on 15 attacks and two aces, as Kylie Celada added 17, all on attacks, in the losing effort.
The victory pushed UST to solo third at 4-2, sending DLSZ to an even 3-3 slate.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Far Eastern University-Diliman made it two in a row after dismantling the University of the Philippines Integrated School in 66 minutes, 25-17, 25-17, 25-13.
Ifunanya Udeagbala paced the charge once again with 16 points built on nine attacks and six aces, while Joeyana Bongo added seven points in two sets of action.
Querstine Paragas anchored the defense with 11 excellent digs as Charlene Balandra efficiently ran the offense with 10 excellent sets.
The Lady Baby Tamaraws improved to 3-3 to pull even with the Junior Lady Spikers at joint fourth.
