By: Nicole Gonzales
National University-Nazareth School completed a first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament after defeating the defending champion University of Santo Tomas, 25-19, 26-24, 29-27, on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Bullpups, last season’s runners-up, claimed the No. 1 spot after extending their perfect run to seven matches, while the Junior Golden Spikers dropped to 4-3, settling for the fourth spot in the standings.
“Lahat ng pinagpaguran nagkaroon ng magandang resulta. Hopefully, magdire-diretso [sa second round],” said NUNS head coach Edgar Barroga.
“Yung last year [losing against UST in the finals], yun yung motivation nila. Yung hindi nakuha yung championship dahil nagkaroon ng mga problema sa injuries, pero this time motivated sila kasi karamihan sa kanila bago. Gusto nilang maging part ng championship,” he added.
The Bullpups surged ahead with a two-set lead, but the Junior Golden Spikers refused to go down quietly, trading blows in a thrilling third set.
Elmerson Lejano powered a spike through the UST block to bring the Bullpups a point away from victory, but UST setter Jefferson Abalos countered with a clever drop ball to tie the game at 27-all.
“Pero kung titignan mo, talagang matibay pa rin ang UST. Nagkataon lang na siguro naroon din yung may konting swerte,” Barroga said.
Lejano quickly responded with a crosscourt kill to push NUNS to match point once again, before Jerowe Biscocho sealed the deal with a down-the-line attack — completing the sweep and avenging last season’s finals defeat.
Lejano led NUNS with 14 points built on 13 attacks and a block, while Xandrex Ragusta added 13 markers from 12 spikes and a kill block. Ronnie Millan chipped in 11 points from 10 attacks and a block.
For UST, Rainiel Lorayes carried the scoring load with 22 points off 20 attacks and two service aces, while Karl Escobal added 16 points from 14 spikes, a block, and an ace.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Earlier, Far Eastern University-Diliman capped the first round with a dominant 25-12, 25-11, 25-21 win over De La Salle Zobel to finish second behind NUNS with a 6-1 slate.
Edrielle Manlapaz led the Baby Tamaraws with 11 points — all from attacks — as Kenneth Maliwanag followed with 10 points built on six spikes, two blocks, and two aces.
Junior Green Spikers captain Kyle Aure was the lone double-digit scorer for his team with 10 points, seven from attacks and three kill blocks, as DLSZ fell to 2-5.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of the East climbed to third place after ending the round with a 5-2 slate after a straight-sets win over Adamson University, 25-15, 25-20, 25-17.
Emmanuel Marcelino paced the Junior Warriors with 13 points from 10 attacks and three aces, while Miguel Catanghal and Paul Roque chipped in 10 points apiece.
For Adamson, Kirk Partosa led the way with nine points from seven spikes, a block, and an ace. John Reyes contributed six points as no Baby Falcon reached double digits.
The loss dropped Adamson to 3-4, outside the top-four range.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the final match of the first round, University of the Philippines Integrated School finally broke into the win column after a four-set triumph over Ateneo de Manila University, 21-25, 25-12, 25-17, 25-20.
The Fighting Maroons improved to 1-6, while the Blue Eagles remained winless at 0-7.
Prince Jimenez starred for UPIS with 16 points on 14 attacks, a block, and an ace. Justine Jusayan added 12 points, built on 10 spikes and two service aces.
For the blue Eagles, Deydi De Ocampo scored 10 points from eight attacks and two blocks, while Xavier Castillo added eight from seven spikes and an ace.
The second round of eliminations in the boys’ division kicks off this Sunday, October 26, at the Paco Arena.
