By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of Santo Tomas and National University-Nazareth School secured at least a playoff berth for the Final Four in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament with dominant wins on Saturday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Junior Golden Spikers improved to a 9-1 record after a commanding straight-sets victory over the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Spikers, 25-16, 25-15, 25-12.
The Bullpups, meanwhile, extended their winning streak to seven games, dispatching the Ateneo Blue Eagles in just 53 minutes with a 25-14, 25-12, 25-10 sweep, also climbing to a 9-1 win-loss record.
“Ang constant reminder lang sa kanila, siguro parang mind conditioning na ganito tayo, hindi dapat talo. ‘Yun lang ang pwede naming gawin. Through training din, ginagawa namin is mas mahigpit, mas mahirap, so ‘yun ‘yung pinapakita namin so walang complacent,” UST head coach Clarence Esteban said.
“Mahirap pa rin ‘yung ginagawa natin. Kailangan pa rin natin mag-prepare sa kung sino man makalaban natin.”
The Junior Golden Spikers asserted dominance in the third set with a decisive 12-1 run, maintaining control throughout and closing the match with a block from Rainier Lorayes and two kills by Rain Dela Paz.
Paolo Medino led the Junior Golden Spikers with 12 points from 11 attacks and an ace in a match that lasted 56 minutes. John Paul Bautista and Jancriz Ayco contributed seven points each.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
NUNS head coach Edgar Barroga praised his team’s continued streak, noting, “Medyo umaangat na ‘yung level kasi kailangan lang sila i-remind na ‘yung ine-ensayo namin dapat nai-aaply namin. Kailangan medyo mai-scout ‘yung last four games namin kasi kahit papaano, ‘yun ‘yung mga competitive team talaga na dapat paghandaan. So more on strategy na ngayon and how to manage ‘yung standing namin.”
Xandrex Ragusta topped the score sheet for the defending champions, posting 11 points with six attacks, four aces, and a block. Miguel Egger also chipped in with 10 points.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Earlier, Far Eastern University-Diliman avenged its first-round loss to Adamson University with a sweep, 25-15, 25-23, 25-19, boosting their record to 5-5 and strengthening their Final Four campaign.
Kenneth Maliwanag led the Baby Tamaraws with 23 points from 19 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, along with five digs across the 64-minute match.
Zedrick Calimlim added 13 points from 11 kills and two aces, while Rhyan Du-ot anchored the offense with 17 excellent sets.
FEU-D and Adamson are now tied for fourth place with identical 5-5 records, both trailing University of the East.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the day’s final match, the UE Junior Warriors cruised to a 25-5, 25-11, 25-12 sweep over the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons, solidifying their hold on third place with an 8-2 record.
Gian Flestado led last season’s runners-up with 13 points from five attacks, one block, and seven aces. Christian Antonio added 11 points over two sets, while Julian Dulay managed the offense with 18 excellent sets.
Justine Lopez anchored the defense with 14 digs.
De La Salle Zobel dropped to 3-7 and now sits in sixth place, while Ateneo fell to 1-9 for seventh. UPIS remained winless at 0-10 and is no longer in contention for the Final Four.
