By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
REIGNING champion National University-Nazareth School and Adamson University remained unbeaten through five matches, continuing to share the lead in the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament, Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
NUNS made short work of University of the East, finishing a 25-11, 25-7, 25-16 sweep in just 51 minutes while Adamson University turned in a dominant performance of its own, sweeping De La Salle Zobel, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17.
The Junior Lady Warriors opened the third set on a strong note, building a 6-2 advantage behind consecutive aces and a quick 1-2 play from Fergie Dela Cruz.
But the early spark didn’t last long as the Lady Bullpups countered with a six-point run fueled by Princess Manzano’s hits and an ace from Cheska Peñol to grab the lead.
NUNS maintained control from there, widening the gap to eight points with Danielle Tulabut’s ace putting them at match point before Akeyla Bartolabac delivered the finishing blow with a kill.
“‘Yun na ‘yung pinaka-confidence boost sa kanila, especially kapag nandun na kami sa mga mas big games para hindi sila ganun ka-pressured or [kabado] kaya malaking bagay na ready silang lahat,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
Tulabut spearheaded the Lady Bullpups’ offense with 10 points, including four aces in just two sets played, backed by Jhaynna Bulandres’ eight points, all built from attacks. Bartolabac, Peñol, and Ysabella Cruz each tallied seven markers in a balanced team effort.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Lady Baby Falcons took charge early in the third set, jumping to a 7-2 advantage behind the combined efforts of Francheska Adem and Janna Dizon.
The gap eventually ballooned to 19-6 as DLSZ struggled to contain Ellaine Gonzalvo’s attacks and minimize its errors.
The Junior Lady Spikers made a final effort to close the gap with a brief four-point rally, but Janessa Buhay’s attack sent them to match point before Gonzalvo’s powerful kill sealed Adamson’s victory.
Gonzalvo delivered a 14-point showing built on 13 attacks for Adamson, supported by Kristal Martin’s 11 and Adem’s 10–all built off spikes.
Elaine Garces tallied 12 excellent sets along with an ace, as Maegan Pineda anchored the backline with nine digs in the 69-minute encounter.
Alemaña carried the scoring load for the Junior Lady Spikers, finishing with 12 points on attacks alone.
Daisy Tomaque finished with eight points on six attacks and two blocks to pace UE in the defeat.
The Junior Lady Spikers, meanwhile, dropped to a 3-2 slate, tying the Junior Golden Tigresses for third place.
The Junior Lady Warriors remained without a victory in five matches.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, Far Eastern University-Diliman regained its footing after two straight losses with a 25-19, 25-14, 25-12 win over Ateneo de Manila University, to share fifth place with the Fighting Maroons at 2-3.
Nigeria’s Ifunanya Udeagbala topped FEU-D’s scoring once again with 16 points from 12 attacks and two blocks.
Alexa Amana finished with eight points off six attacks and two aces in just two sets, while Charlene Balandra organized the plays with 10 excellent sets in the 61-minute affair.
The Blue Eagles dropped to a 0-5 record.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
University of Santo Tomas rolled to its second consecutive win, blanking University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-17, 25-12, 25-10, in just 62 minutes to improve to 3-2.
Kim Rubin once again led the way for UST with 10 points built on four attacks and six aces in just two sets.
Jezel Silvestre and Patricia Mendoza added eight points apiece, with Mendoza doing so in a single frame. Chas Pepito held the fort on defense with 10 excellent digs.
The Fighting Maroons fell to a 2-3 record in a tie with the Baby Tamaraws.
