By: Nicole Gonzales
National University-Nazareth School bounced back from its first loss in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament with a commanding sweep of Adamson University, 25-21, 25-18, 25-21, on Tuesday at Paco Arena.
Coming off a 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 defeat to University of the East last Sunday, the Bullpups immediately regained their rhythm. They improved to an 8-1 record to stay atop the standings and move one step closer to clinching a playoff spot for a final four berth.
“Actually, good start [para] sa amin yung straight set [win] agad kasi sinisimulan namin yung momentum ulit, kasi galing kami sa loss. Kaya lahat ng mae-encounter naming games, as much as possible, kung kaya naming i-dominate, ido-dominate namin,” said setter and team captain Brylle Crespo.
The Bullpups controlled the pace early in the opening set, maintaining a narrow lead while keeping Adamson at bay. Their dominance became more evident in the second frame, where their advantage ballooned to as much as nine points.
In the final set, the Baby Falcons tried to turn things around, taking an early lead before NUNS equalized at 16-all after a quick hit from Christian Maghanoy. Xandrex Ragusta fired a sharp cross-court attack to push the Bullpups ahead, 21-20, but Adamson’s Kirk Partosa quickly responded to tie it once again.
Ronnie Millan then delivered the finishing blow, rejecting Partosa’s attack at the net to seal the match, 25-21.
“Para sa amin, naging motivation din yung pagkatalo namin. Fineel namin yung nararamdaman namin noong day ng pagkatalo namin kasi valid naman nararamdaman namin. But siyempre hindi kami pwede mag-stay lang dun kasi natural sa athlete na matalo,” Crespo said.
The Bullpups’ defeat to UE to open the second round served as a valuable lesson for the young squad.
“Hindi kami pwede maging stagnant sa position na ganoon. Kaya ang ginawa namin, kinabukasan, move on na agad, all-out na kami agad sa training,” Crespo added.
Crespo steered the Bullpups’ offense, tallying 11 excellent sets while contributing four points — two aces, one attack, and one block — to anchor NUNS’ well-oiled offense.
Ragusta paced the Bullpups with 11 points built on 10 attacks and a block, while Elmerson Lejano chipped in nine markers from seven kills and two blocks.
For Adamson, James Bernabe led the charge with 12 points off 11 spikes and an ace, while Partosa followed closely with 11 points from nine attacks and two blocks.
The Baby Falcons dropped to 4-5, falling two games behind University of Santo Tomas in the battle for the last Final Four slot.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In other results, Far Eastern University-Diliman rebounded from its own loss with a 25-11, 25-21, 25-14 victory over De La Salle Zobel to climb to 7-2.
The Junior Warriors also notched their seventh win after defeating the University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons, 25-16, 25-17, 25-19, keeping pace with the Baby Tamaraws in second place.
Defending champion University of Santo Tomas maintained its grip on fourth spot with a swift 25-16, 25-15, 25-16 sweep to eliminate Ateneo de Manila University to improve to 6-3.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
FEU-D was led by Axel Terreng’s 12 points (10 attacks, 2 blocks) and Tyler Ramos’ 11 points (8 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace).
For UE, Cedie Camposano tallied 10 points off eight attacks and two blocks, while Clarence Gianan added nine.
UST’s Rainier Lorayes led the Junior Golden Spikers with 11 points, while Cirilo Domingo backed him up with eight.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
John Arguelles top-scored for DLSZ with 10 points, while Andrei Montillano had six.
UPIS’ Prince Jimenez led his team with nine markers, while Justine Jusayan chipped in eight.
For Ateneo, Xavier Castillo carried the load with 12 points, but the Blue Eagles slipped to 0-9.
The Junior Green Spikers fell to 3-6, the Junior Fighting Maroons dropped to 1-8, while the Blue Eagles remained winless.
