By: Nicole Gonzales
National University–Nazareth School became the lone undefeated team in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament after outlasting Far Eastern University–Diliman, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 18-25, 15-12, at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym on Sunday.
With the crucial win, the Bullpups, last season’s silver medalists, extended their perfect run to five matches, while handing the Baby Tamaraws their first loss of the season after a 4-0 start.
FEU snatched the tight first set as Kenneth Maliwanag delivered a powerful crosscourt spike to secure the win.
The Bullpups regained momentum in the second and third sets, fueled by attacks from Ronnie Millan and Xandrex Ragusta, giving NU a 2-1 lead.
“Well, yung first set kasi namin, hindi namin nagawa yung goal namin. So, niremind ko lang sila na kailangan, kung ano yung ineensayo namin, yun yung gawin namin. Yun naman, nag-work naman,” said NUNS Bullpups head coach Edgar Barroga.
“Pinag-aralan namin bawat isa, kasi knowing FEU, malalaki sila, saka lahat kailangan mong bantayan. Tiningnan namin yung weakness nila, then doon kami nag-go,” he added.
FEU found their rhythm in the fourth set, closing out the frame with a 7-point lead and forcing the match into a decisive fifth set.
The Baby Tamaraws held the lead for most of the final set as Tyler Ramos spearheaded their offense, but Millan tied the score at 11 with a quick attack.
Elmerson Lejano then scored back-to-back points off blockers’ hands, putting NU at match point, 14-12.
“Tinitignan ko kasi kung lalayo sila [FEU], doon ako magta-timeout. Nakita ko na maganda yung momentum namin na balikan lang [ng points]. Nakita ko na yung lakas na loob ng mga bata, sabi ko sa kanila, ‘kung sino yung [may] malakas na loob, yun yung mananalo,’” Barroga said.
The Bullpups sealed the intense match by blocking an attack from FEU’s Edrielle Manlapaz.
NUNS team captain and setter Johanz Crespo was named player of the game, delivering 21 excellent sets, 3 excellent digs, and 2 blocks, orchestrating the Bullpups’ offense.
Xandrex Ragusta led NU’s scoring with 25 points off 22 attacks, 2 blocks, and an ace, supported by Millan, who contributed 18 points through 16 attacks, a block, and an ace.
FEU’s Kenneth Maliwanag led all scorers with 27 points, 24 from spikes and 3 from kill blocks, while Tyler Ramos added 17 points off 14 attacks, 2 blocks, and a service ace.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Earlier, Adamson University swept Ateneo de Manila University, 25-15, 25-8, 25-16, improving their record to 2-3, while the Blue Eagles remained winless at 0-5.
Kyle Ageas and Brice Malinao fueled Adamson’s dominance with eight points each, while Ethan Rivera led Ateneo’s scoring with five points from four kills and a service ace.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
University of Santo Tomas improved to 3-2 after defeating University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-7, 25-19, 25-10.
Rainier Lorayes anchored the Junior Golden Spikers with 10 points, while Chester Esteban added nine markers.
UPIS remained winless at 0-5, with Prince Jimenez scoring eight points and Marco Bamba contributing six.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of the East handed De La Salle Zobel a straight-set loss, 25-12, 25-18, 25-18.
The Junior Warriors improved to 4-1 behind Paul Roque’s 11 points and Miguel Catanghal’s 10, while John Arguelles and Andrei Montillano led the Junior Green Spikers with eight points each.
