By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of Santo Tomas stunned defending champion National University-Nazareth School in three sets, 25-23, 25-14, 25-20, to notch its first win in the UAAP Season 86 Girls’ High School Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the Adamson University Gym.
Both teams went point-for-point at the start of the third set until the Lady Bullpups fired four consecutive points to stretch their lead to 8-4. The Junior Tigresses clawed their way back to tie things up at 13.
It was a back-and-forth affair once again before UST unleashed eight straight points capped off by an attack from Abigail Sinson that sent them to match point at 24-17.
NUNS then saved three match points until an attack error by Kianne Olango gave the Junior Tigresses the win.
“We just played our game, and syempre masaya nanalo. First win against NU, and sobrang dami pang laro. And at least kung ano ‘yung na-ensayo namin, na-execute naman namin kahit papano,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
UST moved up to 1-1 in the standings, while NUNS fell to 1-2.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University-Diliman continued its Boys’ High School Volleyball title defense bid with a 25-22, 25-19, 25-20 romp of UST.
It was a tight third frame with neither team able to mount a scoring run of over four points early in the set.
Holding a slender one-point lead at 15-14, the Baby Tamaraws fired five unanswered points to extend their lead to six.
An attack from Kyle Tandoc put FEU-D at match point before UST scored off back-to-back errors from the Baby Tamaraws.
A kill by Amet Bituin sealed the win for FEU-D, 25-20.
FEU-D improved its record to 2-1, while UST slid to 1-2.
Earlier in the boys’ division, Adamson edged out UP Integrated School in three sets, 25-11, 25-15, 25-9.
After winning the first two sets, the Baby Falcons sustained their energy to complete the straight-set victory.
Adamson boosted its record to 2-1, while UPIS slipped to 1-2 after suffering their second straight loss.
