National University Nazareth School staged a thrilling reverse sweep against University of the East, 20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-8, in an early clash of title contenders, securing its second straight win in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
Riding the momentum from the third and fourth sets, the Bullpups built a comfortable cushion late in the decider behind Ronnie Millan’s service runs.
The Junior Red Warriors tried to mount a comeback, but opposite hitter Xandrex Ragusta delivered timely points that kept NUNS ahead.
The second-year winger, one of the few holdovers from last year’s runner-up squad, scored a booming kill off a well-timed backset from Haris Tuliao. He then denied Emman Marcelino in the following sequence, effectively sealing the comeback for the Bullpups.
Ragusta paced NUNS for the second consecutive match, finishing with 21 points on 16 attacks, four blocks, and a service ace, along with three digs. Meanwhile, Millan was a force at the net, tallying a game-high 24 points on 17 spikes, six blocks, and a service ace in the decisive fifth set.
Tuliao proved to be the game-changer, stabilizing NUNS’ offense with 19 excellent sets and contributing two points of his own.
“Nasa adjustment pa rin kami at this time kasi kung mapapansin mo, nag-iiba-iba ako ng setter kaya ang nangyayari niyan kailangan ko pang magkaroon ng chemistry sa anim ko,” said long-time NUNS head coach Edgar Barroga, noting that several key players from last season had already graduated.
“Nung third set ko lang nakita yung chemistry ng team. Hopefully, mas maging consistent sila kasi nawawala sila kapag sa sitwasyon nagkakaroon ng problema. So, kailangan maging mas consistent pa ‘yung bawat galaw.”
The result also ended another explosive performance from UE’s Paul Roque, who finished with 22 points, all from attacks. Jordino Perales added 14 markers.
However, the Junior Red Warriors’ 26 errors in the last three sets ultimately cost them, leaving them at an even 1-1 record.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, defending champion University of Santo Tomas notched its first win of the season at the expense of Adamson University, 25-19, 27-25, 25-23, taking a share of fourth place with UE at 1-1.
The Junior Golden Spikers saw productive minutes from second-year opposite hitter Rainier Lorayes, who led all scorers with 23 points. Prized recruit Karl Escobal added 12 markers, helping secure his first-ever UAAP victory.
“Sa training kasi and outside of the games, OK ‘yung bonding nila. It’s just that, dito, kasi nga maraming factors, hindi pa namin nakikita mag-translate fully ‘yung nakikita namin sa labas. Hopefully, maging stepping stone ‘tong panalo na ‘to moving forward sa mga susunod naming games,” said assistant coach Rommel Abella.
Brice Malinao was the lone Baby Falcon in double digits with 10 spikes, complementing his defensive work with 14 excellent receptions.
Far Eastern University-Diliman and De La Salle Santiago Zobel School joined NUNS at the top with identical 2-0 records, following straight-set victories over University of the Philippines Integrated School and Ateneo.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Edrielle Manlapaz led FEU-D in their 25-17, 25-14, 25-17 rout of the Junior Fighting Maroons, finishing with 15 points on 13 attacks and two service aces.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Kooper Arguelles nearly reached double digits with nine points in DLSZ’s 25-15, 27-25, 25-18 conquest of the Blue Eagles.
UPIS’s Marco Bamba was limited to six attacks after a solid first match against DLSZ, while Ateneo’s Ethan Rivera paced his team with six points on five kills and a service ace.
NUNS and DLSZ will battle for the potential solo lead when they clash on Tuesday at Paco Arena in the 9:00 AM curtain-raiser, while FEU-D seeks a third straight win against UST at 1:00 PM.
UPIS and Adamson will fight for their first wins of the season at 11:00 AM, with UE looking to bounce back against Ateneo in the final match at 3:00 PM.
