By: Joaquin Cortez
National University-Nazareth School moved closer to securing an outright finals berth, while Adamson University and Far Eastern University-Diliman clinched the last two Final Four spots in the UAAP Season 89 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at Paco Arena in Manila.
NUNS maintained its unbeaten run with a 25-10, 25-7, 25-13 sweep of the University of the Philippines Integrated School.
The Lady Bullpups moved two wins away from triggering the stepladder format after extending their flawless run to 12 games, with Xyz Rayco leading the charge with 15 points, including seven service aces.
NUNS dominated both the service and attacking departments, tallying 18 aces and 36 attack points compared to UPIS’ nine attack points.
“Nakita ko naman nag-i-improve kami pero the main challenge pa rin is ‘yung mga Final Four teams na makakalaban. So kailangan pang paghandaan,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
“Kailangan mag-stay on the ground kami. Ang importante, nakikita naman namin ‘yung pagkukulang pa at kailangan pa i-improve,” added the former UAAP Season 71 Most Valuable Player.
NUNS will face De La Salle-Zobel on Sunday before wrapping up its elimination-round campaign against last season’s Finals opponent, FEU-D, on November 20.
The Lady Bullpups leaned on their potent service game throughout the match, with Rayco firing three consecutive aces to give NUNS a commanding 23-7 lead in the second set. An attack error by UPIS’ Elisha Capus then handed the Bullpups the set, 25-7.
Rayco continued to spearhead NUNS in the third set, drilling another service ace to extend the lead to 18-7. Ysabelle Tuballas later delivered another ace to complete the sweep in 51 minutes.
Jhaynna Bulandres chipped in 10 points, including six aces, while Raine Alonzo also finished with 10 markers.
Niña Abad paced UPIS with seven points as the Junior Lady Maroons absorbed their 11th loss in 12 outings.
Meanwhile, Adamson University ended De La Salle-Zobel’s Final Four hopes after the Lady Baby Falcons outlasted the Junior Lady Archers in a thrilling straight-sets victory, 27-25, 25-18, 25-23.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
With the win, Adamson secured its seventh consecutive postseason appearance after improving to 8-4, while DLSZ slipped to 5-7 and remained in fifth place.
Before Season 89, the Junior Lady Archers had finished fifth for three consecutive seasons, dating back to Season 86.
“Number one thing, we do viewing, and then we study the game. Sinabihan ko rin sila about the situation na may chance pa ang Zobel kung matalo tayo sa kanila … pero I thank the Lord na nag-deliver naman lahat,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude.
“Looking forward sa semis and kailangan namin magtrabaho ulit,” he added.
Both teams traded runs in the second set before consecutive service aces from Jennica Misaison gave Adamson an early cushion at 10-3.
DLSZ refused to back down, however, responding with a 9-2 run capped by Alyanna Valdez’s tip-in to knot the score at 12-all. The Baby Falcons answered with a 9-2 run of their own to regain control before Kristal Martin’s through-the-block hit sealed the set, 25-18.
Ellaine Gonzalvo then took over in the deciding third set, scoring Adamson’s final five points to keep the Baby Falcons in front.
Despite one last rally from DLSZ, Gonzalgo delivered a tip-in to complete the sweep and punch Adamson’s ticket to the Final Four.
“‘Yung Zobel, hindi sila magpapatalo pero siyempre kami, we prepared for it and then ‘yung mga bata ‘di magpapatalo. Always the best effort wins talaga at kung sinong gustong manalo, mananalo talaga,” Yude added.
Gonzalvo led Adamson’s attack with 18 points, while Misaison and Martin chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Aislinn Alemania paced DLSZ with 13 points, followed by Kylie Celada with 10 points.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
FEU-D completed this year’s Final Four cast after dismantling Ateneo de Manila University, 25-10, 25-18, 25-14, in the final match of the four-game slate.
The Baby Tamaraws improved to 8-4, while Ateneo dropped to 4-8, extending its search for a postseason appearance since joining the division in Season 86.
“Ito naman talaga ang gusto naming mangyari na makapasok sa Final Four. After nitong [pagpasok] sa Final Four, tatrabaho pa kami until makapasok kami ‘don sa finals,” said FEU-D head coach Joanne Bunag.
“‘Yung mindset na gusto ko pa makita is ‘yung talagang gustong manalo. ‘Yun yung gusto kong makita sa mga bata. Kung ano pang kulang, edi gagawan namin ng paraan,” the coach added.
The Baby Tamaraws sustained their momentum in the third set, with Cathlyn Umal sealing the sweep through an off-speed hit, 25-14.
Aiumi Oso, Umal, and MJ Udaegbala paced FEU-D with 10 points apiece, while Emilr Guivani orchestrated the team’s offense with 12 excellent sets and added two points.
Meanwhile, Naihma Banal led Ateneo with eight points, all coming from attacks.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Earlier in the day, University of Santo Tomas strengthened its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage after sweeping the University of the East, 25-13, 25-11, 25-17, for its fourth consecutive victory.
The Junior Growling Tigresses leaned on Ciarra Calfoforo, who paced UST with 11 points on nine attacks and two service aces as the team improved to 10-2.
Aside from liberos Chasliey Pepito and Janine Espiritu, 13 other Junior Growling Tigresses scored in the match. Jyrah Romias and Nicole Pelaez chipped in six points apiece, while Ryzel Laag, Adrianna Menchavez, and Erin Sotto added five each.
Jhuleanne Jugal and Leighniele Suy paced UE with three points apiece as the Junior Lady Warriors remained winless at 0-12.
