By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of Santo Tomas, National University-Nazareth School, and University of the East clinched their spots in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament Final Four after defeating their respective opponents on Saturday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Bullpups and the Junior Golden Spikers delivered dominant wins against also-ran teams, boosting their records to 10-1 and strengthening their chances for twice-to-beat advantages in the Final Four.
NU-Nazareth School swept UP Integrated School, 25-8, 25-10, 25-8, while UST quickly dispatched Ateneo, 25-16, 25-5, 25-7.
Meanwhile, the Junior Warriors earned a crucial win to secure the third Final Four berth, staying in the hunt for a top-two finish.
UE bounced back from a second-set loss to defeat Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-22, 14-25, 25-20, 25-18, improving to a 9-2 record.
UST dominated the final set against Ateneo, racing to a 13-2 lead while Ateneo struggled to score, largely due to unforced errors.
Rainier Lorayes capped off the game with a powerful off-the-block kill at 23-7, and Chester Esteban sealed the win with a service ace.
“Siyempre, grateful pa rin kami sa nangyari ngayon kasi maganda ‘yung performance ng mga players namin, so sana ‘yung request namin na makarating doon sa talagang gusto namin. Ine-aim namin mag-champion this season na ‘to,” said Junior Golden Spikers head coach Clarence Esteban.
Reigning MVP Joncriz Ayco led the team with nine points, including seven attacks and two blocks in just two sets.
Paolo Medino added eight points, while John Paul Bautista, Gherick Luston, and Sean Cruz contributed six points each in limited action.
The entire UST roster saw court time in the 52-minute match.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For NUNS, Irilis Kasim’s 11 points on eight kills and three blocks paved the way to victory in just 46 minutes.
Yuan Mendoza added 10 points, including eight attacks and an ace, while Xandrex Ragusta and Carlo Reyes each contributed seven points.
“Medyo magre-ready kami kasi ito na ‘yung moment na lahat ng mga kalaban namin do-or-die na. Ibig sabihin, there’s a possibility na mananalo o matatalo kami so more on practice pa kami, more on strategies pa, and of course, ‘yung discipline pa namin sa paglalaro,” said Bullpups head coach Edgar Barroga.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UE’s Buenaventura Limpin starred with 15 points, including 10 attacks and five blocks. Lance Babon chipped in 11 points, while Christian Antonio and Clarence Gianan each added 10 points for last season’s runners-up.
Julian Dulay’s playmaking resulted in 15 excellent sets over an hour and 22 minutes.
Despite the loss, rookie Kenneth Maliwanag led the Baby Tamaraws with 19 points from 18 attacks.
FEU-D dropped to a 5-6 record but holds on to fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Later in the day, Adamson University bolstered its Final Four bid with a hard-fought 25-17, 25-22, 25-14 victory over De La Salle-Zobel.
Brice Malinao topped the Baby Falcons with 11 points from nine attacks and two aces in two sets, while Arvin Pon-an added 10 points.
Clark Dingle orchestrated the offense with 15 excellent sets in the 64-minute match.
Adamson maintained fourth place with a 6-5 record, while the Junior Green Spikers fell to 3-8.
The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons remained in the seventh and eighth spots, with 1-10 and 0-11 records, respectively.
