By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of the East and De La Salle-Zobel claimed victories on Sunday, sharing third place in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament.
The Junior Warriors, last season’s second placers, fought hard to secure a 25-23, 25-16, 27-29, 25-12 win over the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws for their second straight win.
Meanwhile, the Junior Green Spikers cruised past the hapless UPIS Fighting Maroons, 25-16, 25-20, 25-17, to bounce back.
With these victories, both teams improved their records to 2-1, tying with the idle Adamson Baby Falcons in the standings.
In their first meeting since last season’s Final Four, Lance Babon stood out for the Junior Warriors, contributing 14 points through 12 kills and two blocks.
Marcus Dulay efficiently orchestrated their offense, delivering 22 excellent sets, while Justine Lopez anchored the Junior Warriors’ defense with 15 digs.
“Actually, pinaghandaan namin itong FEU kasi ‘yung talo namin sa UST. So very important itong laro namin with FEU para at least kahit papano, ma-secure namin ‘yung stand namin na makapasok pa rin,” said first-year Junior Warriors head coach Herbert Dizon after the match that lasted for an hour and 29 minutes.
“Kasi once matalo kami sa FEU, medyo mag-aalagwa ‘yung position namin.”
After narrowly dropping the third set, the Junior Warriors responded, sprinting to a 15-6 lead fueled by an impressive 11-1 run, which included several attack errors from the Baby Tamaraws.
UE maintained its lead, and as the set progressed, Lance Rafallo and Aaron Ancheta teamed up for a critical kill block that brought the Junior Warriors to match point.
Ancheta sealed the victory with a powerful kill.
Despite the triumph, Dizon acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in their setting.
“Sa setting talagang medyo may problema kami sa setter kasi ang setter namin ngayon is first-timer so with the concerns of offense naman, mayroon kami pero nahihirapan kami i-execute ‘yun because of our setter,” he explained.
On the other side of the court, Tyler Ramos led the Baby Tamaraws with 17 points, including 15 attacks and two blocks, despite the team’s defeat.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Mario Roxas was instrumental for the Junior Spikers, scoring 13 points, comprised of 11 kills and two aces.
Meanwhile, Alex Baligod and Kyle Aure contributed six points each in the match that lasted for an hour and six minutes.
Marcos Bamba paced the Junior Fighting Maroons with 11 points on nine attacks and two aces.
Both the Baby Tamaraws and the Fighting Maroons remain winless after two outings.
