Adamson University and National University-Nazareth School have set up a rematch of the UAAP Season 86 Girls’ Volleyball Finals, this time in the semifinals of the 2024 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League, after defeating their respective foes on Wednesday at the Adamson University Gym.
The Baby Falcons overpowered the Lyceum Junior Lady Pirates, 25-13, 27-25, 25-20, while the Lady Bullpups crushed the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, 25-6, 25-23, 25-17.
Adamson swept the entire UAAP tournament, including a two-game finish of NUNS to deny the program a first-ever event sweep.
Relying on their solid net defense to complement their relentless spiking barrage led by Diza Berayo and a superb service game, the Lady Bullpups needed only one hour and 21 minutes to eliminate the Lady Baby Tamaraws in their knockout quarterfinal showdown.
Berayo scored 18 points, including 13 kills, three blocks, and two aces for the Lady Bullpups, who outspiked FEU, 36-23, and recorded 11 blocks.
“Honestly, yung 3-0 game na ‘to, hindi ko ine-expect ‘yun. Hindi siguro din nila ine-expect. Alam naman namin na hindi kami kumpleto pero kasi pinaghandaan din naman namin sila yesterday sa training, especially,” NUNS head coach Norman Miguel said.
NUNS also recorded 11 aces and capitalized on FEU-Diliman’s 17 errors to secure a return trip to the Final Four.
“’Yun din naman talaga ‘yung aming game plan. The game plan will start on the service, and then the rest will follow. Yun lang, naging effective naman,” Miguel added.
Celine Marsh contributed 14 points, with 11 coming from kills, while Robielle Silla scored 10 points for NUNS.
On the other hand, Samantha Cantada led the Baby Falcons with 15 points, built on nine aces, five attacks, and a block.
Shaina Nitura also performed well against Lyceum, while Felicity Sagaysay orchestrated the Adamson attack.
Meanwhile, Kings’ Montessori School swept Bethel Academy College, 25-17, 25-23, 25-17, while Bacolod Tay Tung defeated Arellano University, 25-17, 25-20, 25-21, to set up the other semifinal showdown of the country’s premier grassroots volleyball tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Smart Sports, Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Data Project, Genius Sports, and Robinsons Malls.
Shahanna and Shekaina Lleses powered Kings’ Montessori with 18 and 11 points, respectively, while Ana Hermosura showed the way for Tay Tung with 14 points.
Games in the SGVIL, organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc., are available via livestream on Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas, Aliw 23 (free TV), and Solar Sports (cable).