By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
ADAMSON University swept past Ateneo in a dominant straight-set victory, 25-10, 25-8, 25-17, moving closer to securing a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at Paco Arena.
The Baby Falcons soared in the third set, unleashing an explosive eight-point run that allowed them to seize early control and maintain momentum throughout.
Ateneo’s Lucas Garcia committed a service error that brought Adamson to match point, but the Blue Eagles fought back with two attack errors and a successful hit from Ken Nicolas, saving three points. Ultimately, an off-the-block kill from Kirk Partosa sealed the win for the Baby Falcons.
“Maganda naman ‘yung first set tsaka ‘yung second set. ‘Yung third set lang medyo tumaas ‘yung score ng Ateneo kasi dahil sa error na rin namin siguro. Na-out-of-focus ‘yung mga bata,” said Adamson head coach Marvin Ramoso.
“Siguro ‘yung tibay ng loob talaga, ‘yung panapos sa laro kasi ‘yun ang nagiging problema namin. ‘Pag sa latter part na ng game medyo naa-out-of-focus lalo na ‘pag lamang ang kalaban. Siguro kailangan mas mapag-focusan pa namin ‘yung tapang at saka ‘yung lakas ng loob para makuha namin ‘yung sets,” he added, stressing the importance of focus and mental toughness during crucial moments.
Adamson’s balanced effort led to the decisive 51-minute victory. Jims Ducusin spearheaded the offense with eight points, including seven attacks and a block. Arvin Pon-an added seven points, and Kirk Partosa contributed six, both playing only two sets.
The Baby Falcons improved to a 7-5 record, solidifying their hold on fourth place.
In earlier matches, National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) secured a hard-fought straight-set win over Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-21, 25-23, 26-24, while the University of Santo Tomas (UST) dominated the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS), 25-12, 25-9, 25-9, as both teams moved closer to a twice-to-beat advantage with identical 11-1 records.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Bullpups nearly let a five-point lead slip in the third set as the Baby Tamaraws rallied, leveling the score at 21 behind Zedrick Calimlim’s three consecutive kills. The teams exchanged blows in a tense endgame, with Kenneth Maliwanag bringing FEU-D to match point. However, Yuan Mendoza responded with three clutch kills, securing the victory for NUNS.
Mendoza powered the Bullpups with 15 points, all from attacks, in the 80-minute match. Miguel Egger tallied 12 points on eight attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while Irilis Kasim and John Wayne Dionela chipped in eight points each.
Calimlim led FEU-D with a game-high 17 points, but the Baby Tamaraws fell to 5-7, holding fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UST’s Junior Golden Spikers cruised to victory in just 48 minutes. John Paul Bautista scored 11 points on seven attacks, two blocks, and two aces in just two sets. Paolo Medino added 10 points, and Erick Perjes contributed eight as UST remained tied with NUNS at the top of the standings.
In another match, University of the East (UE) overwhelmed De La Salle-Zobel (DLSZ) in straight sets, 25-15, 25-17, 25-15, bolstering its quest for a twice-to-beat advantage.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Lance Babon’s stellar 16-point effort, consisting of 15 attacks and a block, anchored UE’s win. Christian Antonio and Clarence Gianan added 11 and eight points, respectively, while Julian Dulay orchestrated the offense with 12 excellent sets.
UE improved to 10-2, holding third place, while DLSZ dropped to 3-9, landing in sixth.
DLSZ (3-9), Ateneo (1-11), and UPIS (0-12) remain at the bottom.
