Reigning champions National University–Nazareth School and the University of Santo Tomas look to defend their respective crowns in the girls’ and boys’ divisions as the UAAP Season 88 High School Volleyball Final Four fires off today (Saturday) at the Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
The Lady Bullpups and the Junior Golden Spikers, however, enter the semifinals from opposite directions.
NUNS, armed with a league-best 13–1 record, secured the top seed and a twice-to-beat advantage against the fourth-seeded Junior Golden Tigresses (8–6).
Meanwhile, on the boys’ side, the Junior Golden Spikers—who finished fourth at 9–5—must win twice to unseat the 13–1, No. 1 seed Bullpups.
The Lady Bullpups swept their elimination-round battles against the Junior Golden Tigresses, taking a 3–1 win in the first round before surviving a thrilling five-set rematch in the second. They aim for a third win in their 3 p.m. duel in Quezon City.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Parang slowly but surely siguro nakaka-adjust na ‘yung team sa isa’t isa at sa kalaban,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
“Magandang bagay na nakukuha nila ‘yung confidence nila every game, especially nitong second round. Sana matuluy-tuloy namin,” added the bemedalled mentor, who will bank on Diza Beroya and Rihanna Navarro as they chase back-to-back titles.
On the other hand, the Junior Golden Spikers hope to find a stronger sense of urgency in Saturday’s 9 a.m. curtain-raiser, as they have yet to win a set against the Bullpups in two elimination-round meetings.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Ang nangyari kasi sa ‘min sa eliminations against NU eh parang underdog kami, ‘yung mga bagong players namin parang na-rattle kasi nga NU ‘yung kalaban,” said long-time head coach Aying Esteban.
“‘Yun ang gusto kong matanggal sa kanila kasi dapat china-challenge niyo ‘yung sarili niyo kasi NU ‘yung kalaban. Mas malakas ang kalaban, mas masarap kalaban, kasi nothing to lose naman tayo,” he added, noting that he expects Karl Escobal and Markus Julian to shake off their jitters in their first Final Four appearance.
In the other Final Four matchups, second-seeded University of the East (11–3) in the boys’ division and Adamson University (13–1) in the girls’ bracket also hold twice-to-beat advantages over Far Eastern University–Diliman.
The Junior Red Warriors swept the Baby Tamaraws in the eliminations and now look to complete a season sweep to reach their second Finals appearance in three years.
Clarence Gianan aims to return to the title round alongside Paul Roque as they battle Tyler Ramos, Kenneth Maliwanag, and a determined FEU-D squad at 11 a.m.
Meanwhile, Adamson aces Jannessa Buhay and Ellaine Gonzalvo hope to ride the momentum of their elimination sweep of Aleah Devosora, MJ Udeagbala, and the rest of the Lady Baby Tamaraws to clinch a fifth straight Finals berth.
Adamson and FEU-D clash at 1 p.m., right after the UE–FEU-D showdown.
