By: Joaquin Cortez
National University-Nazareth School inched closer to a first-round sweep with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-18 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 89 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Thursday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
With the straight-set victory, the Bullpups improved to 5-0 with two matches remaining in the first round, while the Blue Eagles suffered their third loss in four games.
Ateneo initially put the defending champions on the ropes, cruising to a 13-12 lead before the Bullpups answered with a blistering 13-2 run, capped by Bella Espinosa’s service error that handed NUNS the opening set, 25-15.
The Blue Eagles continued to make strong starts in the next two sets, but the Bullpups consistently found ways to pull away. Danielle Tulabut’s attack eventually put NUNS at match point, 24-16, but Naihma Banal sparked one last push for Ateneo with two consecutive kills.
Jaila Adrao, however, finished off the sweep with a through-the-block hit, 25-18.
Despite the win, Bullpups head coach Karl Dimaculangan was far from satisfied with his team’s showing.
“This game mas kailangan namin mas maging aggressive and disciplined sa ginagawa namin kasi for this game, marami kaming nagawang error, so ’yun ’yung kailangan namin maiwasan in preparation for the big games,” said Dimaculangan. “Aware naman ’yung team na kailangang gumalaw nang maayos or mag-all out.”
Xyz Rayco, the 15-year-old rookie, led the Bullpups with 14 points built on 12 attacks, one block, and one ace, while also finishing with 16 excellent receptions. Season 88 Rookie of the Year Jhaynna Bulandres also delivered a strong performance from the service line, finishing with 12 points, including five service aces.
Banal was Ateneo’s lone double-digit scorer with 10 points, followed by Callie Tugade and Espinosa, who chipped in five points apiece.
Later, the University of Santo Tomas demolished the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-7, 25-11, 25-11, to strengthen its grip on second place.
After suffering a straight-set setback to the Bullpups last Sept. 29, the Junior Golden Tigresses have now won their last two games to improve to 4-1, while the Fighting Maroons slipped to 1-4.
UST dominated the opening two sets, holding UPIS to just 18 points combined before the Fighting Maroons finally mounted a push in the third. Anya Callo’s block cut the deficit to seven, 17-10, but that was as close as UPIS would get.
The Junior Golden Tigresses closed out the match with an 8-1 run, capped by Ryzel Laag’s tip-in to complete the sweep.
“Any skills lamang naman kami kay UP, ‘yun lang kailangan pa naming ma-enhance ‘yung skills tapos we will work on the consistency ng galaw kasi medyo may mga unforced errors pa rin,” UST head coach Kungfu Reyes said. “Ang advice lang namin sa kanila: wala lang unforced error, kasi kung sino ang mag-dictate ng tempo, mananalo sa rally.”
It was a well-balanced offensive effort for UST, with 12 of the 15 players who entered the match getting on the scoresheet. Taj Teves led the way with seven points on four attacks, while Erin Sotto, Megan Hernandez, Nicole Pelaez, and Patricia Mendoza chipped in six points apiece.
For UPIS, Nina Abad paced the team with seven points on six attacks, followed by Elisha Capus with six markers.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University-Diliman captured its second straight win at the expense of the University of the East, 25-17, 25-15, 25-9.
After losing to UST in the season opener and falling to Adamson University in four sets, the Baby Tamaraws have now won their last two games to improve to 3-2, while UE remained winless through five matches.
The Baby Tamaraws had an answer for everything the Junior Lady Warriors threw at them, with Glejane Loreno’s kill putting FEU-D two points away from match point, 23-7. UE could not muster a response, as back-to-back attack errors from Deni Mendoza and Francine Mandapat sealed the Baby Tamaraws’ sweep in under an hour.
Mery Joy Dojillo paced the Baby Tamaraws with 13 points on nine attacks and four service aces, followed by Nigerian opposite hitter MJ Udeagbala and Loreno, who tallied nine points apiece.
Meanwhile, Janah Sumagaysay was the lone double-digit scorer for UE with 10 points, followed by Reesseailyn Roxas with five markers and 11 excellent receptions.
In the last matchup of the day, Adamson steamrolled De La Salle University-Zobel, 25-20, 25-15, 25-19, to secure its fourth consecutive victory in the tournament.
The Lady Baby Falcons won the opening two sets convincingly, closing the second with an 11-4 run capped by a Sam Cañete kill to take a two-set advantage, 25-15.
DLSZ trimmed the deficit to four in the third set, 17-13, but Adamson regained its footing down the stretch. Sienna Sonza’s service error handed the Lady Baby Falcons match point before Alexa Katigbak finished off the sweep with a tip.
“Number one thing, okay ‘yung performance ng mga bata today, but we need to work on a lot of things pa rin pagdating sa training, especially yung service, attack direction namin, and ‘yung pasa. Although very good ang pasa nila today, pero we need to be consistent, especially pag malalakas ang kalaban,” Adamson head coach JP Yude said. “But still, I am very happy with how they performed today.”
Kristal Martin spearheaded Adamson with 10 points on seven attacks, a block, and an ace, followed by Ella Gonzalvo with eight points on seven attacks.
Meanwhile, no Zobel player scored in double digits, with Aislinn Alemana leading the way with eight points.
