By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
National University-Nazareth School capped a dominant first round with a perfect 7-0 record after sweeping Season 88 finals rival Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-16, 25-18, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 89 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Friday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
The defending champions remained unbeaten to stay atop the standings, while the Lady Baby Tamaraws slipped to 4-3 as their four-game winning streak came to an end. FEU-D, however, retained solo fourth place.
What made NUNS’ perfect first-round run even more impressive was that the Lady Bullpups dropped just one set in seven matches.
“Nakaraos na kami sa first round… mas kailangan namin mas mag-prepare, knowing na nakita namin yung mga kalaban namin. Kilala naman natin sila, so ‘yung teams talaga. So tingin ko mas kailangan naming mas maging prepared sa paparating na second round,” said NUNS coach Karl Dimaculangan.
“Sa amin, kung ano lang ‘yung kaya naming kontrolin which is kami, composure namin, training kami mabuti, preparation. So mga ganung bagay lang ang naging mindset namin and one game at a time lang kami,” the decorated mentor added.
“Stay lang kami on the ground and discipline namin. ‘Yung disiplina kasi namin, minsan nawawala yung focus sa game. So, ‘yun ‘yung kailangan, ma-remind kaming lahat na hindi pa tapos yung goal namin, which is championship.”
With the third set tied at 14, the Lady Bullpups unleashed a five-point scoring run to create separation, capped by Jaila Adrao’s attack for a 19-14 advantage.
NUNS maintained its momentum as Xyz Rayco recorded a block and an attack to bring the defending champions within a point of victory. Jhaynna Bulandres then delivered the decisive hit to complete the straight-set sweep.
The Lady Bullpups leaned on a balanced offensive effort, with Rayco leading the way with 11 points on seven attacks, three blocks, and an ace. Ysabella Cruz added 10 points from four attacks, four blocks, and two aces, while Adrao and Bulandres chipped in nine points apiece.
Micaella Gould orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets, while Ghenievib Belen anchored the floor defense with 17 excellent digs and four excellent receptions in 67 minutes of action.
Alexa Amana paced FEU-D with nine points on six attacks, two blocks, and an ace. MJ Udeagbala, meanwhile, was limited to five points, including three attacks.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Earlier, the University of Santo Tomas moved into solo second place with a hard-fought 25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory over Adamson University, extending its winning streak to four games.
With the fourth set tied at 14, the teams traded points before the Junior Golden Tigresses broke through with a four-point run, punctuated by back-to-back kills from Andrianna Menchavez to seize a 21-19 lead.
UST kept up the pressure, with Patricia Mendoza’s block bringing the Junior Golden Tigresses to match point. Nicole Pelaez then delivered the finishing attack to seal the victory.
“So ang aim talaga namin… Makarga namin ‘yung serve. Though talagang matibay yung libero nila, so that’s why andun pa rin ‘yung atake nila. Talagang everybody’s game. So ayun lang, parehas kaming naghanda. Medyo na-dominate namin yung ibabaw ngayon,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
“Despite the errors, so kailangan lang namin, ‘yun nga, exact word is maging composed sila. Then move forward lagi. ‘Yun lang lagi, move forward. Nagkamali, move forward. Kung magdadalawang-isip, let’s move forward again. So ganun lang ‘yung ginagawa namin just to keep them composed all the time,” he continued.
“Marami pa kaming dapat gawin with ‘yung mga errors namin, lapses namin. And we will work on the consistency in every department. ‘Yan ang pinaka kailangan namin, especially sa service area.”
Pelaez spearheaded the Junior Golden Tigresses’ attack with 19 points on 13 attacks, five blocks, and an ace. Menchavez provided additional firepower with 16 points from 15 attacks and an ace, while also collecting 10 digs.
Lianne Sanchez orchestrated the offense with 13 excellent sets, while Chasliey Pepito anchored the defense with 14 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions in an hour and 45 minutes of action.
Ellaine Gonzalvo turned in an all-around performance for the Lady Baby Falcons despite the loss, finishing with 20 points on 16 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, along with 11 digs.
Adamson dropped to third in the standings at 5-2 after its five-game winning streak was snapped.
Meanwhile, De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo de Manila University ended their respective three-game losing streaks. The former took a 25-10, 25-22, 25-18 win over University of the Philippines Integrated School, while the latter notched a 26-24, 23-25, 25-13, 25-14 victory over University of the East.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
After keeping pace with DLSZ for much of the third set, UPIS fell behind as the Junior Lady Spikers unleashed a 6-1 run to build a 23-15 cushion. Aislinn Alemaña capped the surge with an attack and an ace.
Kylie Celada followed with a hit to put DLSZ at match point, but back-to-back errors allowed the Junior Fighting Maroons to pick up two more points. Chezka Bolivar then ended the match with a winning joust.
Celada led the Junior Lady Spikers with 15 points on 12 attacks and three aces, while Alemaña added 10 points on seven attacks and three aces, along with eight excellent digs.
Zofia Limpot directed the offense with 16 excellent sets in the 66-minute encounter.
Niña Abad paced the Junior Fighting Maroons with 11 points on eight attacks, two aces, and a block.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
On the other hand, the Blue Eagles pulled away from an 11-all deadlock in the fourth set with a decisive 12-2 run to move within reach of victory.
Naihma Banal’s crosscourt hit put Ateneo at match point, but her next attack sailed long to give UE a point. Ryann Espinosa then dropped the ball into the Warriors’ court to seal the win at 25-14.
Olaguir kept Ateneo’s offense clicking with 25 excellent sets and added seven points through attacks in the hour-and-38-minute match.
Banal led all scorers with 23 points on 22 kills and an ace for the Blue Eagles. Juliana Peregrino chipped in 14 points on 13 attacks and an ace, while also shoring up Ateneo’s floor defense with 16 digs.
Reesseailyn Roxas paced UE with 15 points, including 13 attacks and two aces, in the loss.
DLSZ held on to fifth place with a 3-4 record, while Ateneo retained sixth place at 2-5, leaving UPIS in seventh at 1-6 after its sixth consecutive defeat and UE still winless after seven games.
