By: Azel Cabais
Defending champion National University Nazareth School and University of Santo Tomas swept their respective foes to remain undefeated in the UAAP Season 89 High School Volleyball Tournament on Sunday evening at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Lady Bullpups made quick work of the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Lady Archers, needing just 56 minutes to cruise to a 25-10, 25-14, 25-14 victory. Meanwhile, the Junior Golden Tigresses spoiled the season debut of the Far Eastern University-Diliman Lady Tamaraws with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-20 sweep.
Fifteen-year-old rookie Xyz Rayco continued her strong start to her UAAP career, tallying 13 points on eight attacks and four aces to go with 11 receptions. Supporting her were Jhaynna Bulandres and Adeleine Agustin with seven points apiece, while Micaella Gould glued things together with 16 excellent sets.
Lady Bullpups head coach Karl Dimaculangan fielded all of his players in the contest.
“Siguro, yung isang, yun nga, inaano sa player na nakikita namin kung ano yung kulang namin, at the same time, sino yung puwede naming panggamitan sa mga susunod na games,” he said. “Siguro yun yung malaking bagay siguro sa ‘min. Everyone can step up.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adrianna Menchavez led the Junior Tigresses with 13 points and five digs.
Erin Sotto, the younger sister of former UAAP Boys’ Basketball MVP Kai Sotto, added nine points on three blocks. Mary Nicole Palaez and Taj Teves chipped in six points apiece. Teves also had six receptions and five digs.
Chasliey Pepito anchored UST’s floor defense with 13 receptions and seven digs.
“Malaking momentum para sa amin kasi last year hindi kami nanalo, I think, sa FEU. So this time, at least maganda yung start namin,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes. “Ayun naman yung gusto naming mangyari, na makuha namin yung mga iniensayo namin sa UST.”
Ifnanya Udeagbala paced the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points, while Alexa Amana added 11.
The victories set up an early showdown between the two unbeaten squads, with the Lady Bullpups and Junior Tigresses facing off on Tuesday at 1:00 PM at Paco Arena.
“Syempre alam naman natin yung UST is a contender na every season. So, hindi namin pwedeng i-take, lalo na yung preparation namin, na i-take namin for granted,” said Dimaculangan of the matchup.
“Well, siguro yung mga na-e-execute namin na mga ginagawa namin para mas maging consistent pa kami — those effective plays, attacks, and blocks. Ngayon naman, yung adjustment namin is for those errors, sa mga lapses na hindi namin na-e-execute nang maayos,” said Reyes.
“Kumbaga, we did not execute well dito sa game na ’to. Yun yung mga titingnan namin sa mga susunod na practice. Kasi ano na eh, mahigpit na araw na eh, one-day preparation for Tuesday’s game, so yung adjustment na ’yon, on the court saka sa scouting na.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
In the other game, Kristal Joy Martin delivered a solid all-around performance of 15 points, 11 receptions, and seven digs. Then Ella Gonzalvo fired 18 points as the Lady Baby Falcons subdued the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-15, 25-17, 25-23, to enter the win column.
“Siguro number one, medyo nag-a-adjust pa kami ngayong game kasi nga dahil galing sa talo,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude, whose Falcons were coming off a 25-14, 29-31, 25-17, 25-17 loss to NUNS on opening day.
“Pero we thank the Lord for a good result today. So, siguro kailangan lang trabahuhin everything eh—character, attitude, the skills wise, sa passing namin, sa during pressure moments, scenarios na pwede so yun pa siguro yung kailangan trabahuhin.”
Rookie Naihma Banal paced Ateneo with nine points and five digs.
