By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Defending champion Adamson University and UAAP Season 86 Finals rival National University Nazareth School bounced back from their defeats last week, taking out their frustrations on their respective opponents on Wednesday at Paco Arena in Manila.
The Baby Falcons swept the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Lady Spikers, 25-13, 25-15, 25-19, to claim their first victory in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament while the Lady Bullpups made quick work of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-5, 25-14, 25-17.
It was a rebound win for Adamson, which was coming off a 24-26, 19-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-13 loss to UST to open their campaign last September 18.
“We’ve been preparing talaga sa mga lapses in the past because ‘yun ‘yung kailangan naman i-overcome, ‘yung fear ng mga bata sa paglalaro. Pero skills-wise, nandiyan naman pero sometimes ‘yung emotions nila ‘yung mas nangingibabaw,” said Baby Falcons head coach JP Yude, also a product of Adamson’s volleyball program.
Middle blocker Samantha Cantada led the Baby Falcons in the game that lasted an hour and six minutes with 11 points, built on seven attacks and four blocks before calling it a day in the third set while rookie Lorraine Gonzalvo added nine points.
Libero Maegan Pineda also notched 14 excellent receptions for Adamson, which evened its record at 1-1.
“It’s good experience also sa lahat ‘yung game na ‘to na makuha ‘yung first win. Kahit ‘yung second six nag-perform ng maayos so we are grateful na nakaka-experience ng opportunities ‘yung mga bata na ganito,” Yude added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, all but one Lady Bullpup was fielded by Karl Dimaculangan in their 58-minute victory over the Blue Eagles.
Denesse Daylisan and Sarah Joy Limbang both had eight points for NUNS, which went up to solo third with a 2-1 record, while Mardy Tayag and Harlyn Semeche got six apiece.
All NUNS spikers who played were able to score at least a point.
The Lady Bullpups were coming off a 15-20, 25-19, 26-24, 25-19 loss to the FEU-D Lady Baby Tamaraws last Sunday.
The Junior Spikers dropped to 1-2 while the Blue Eagles remained winless in four outings.
