By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Far Eastern University-Diliman and defending champion Adamson University secured their spots in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament after sweeping University of the Philippines Integrated School and De La Salle-Zobel, respectively, on Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Lady Baby Tamaraws earned a hard-fought sweep over UPIS, winning 25-17, 25-22, 25-15 in a match that lasted 66 minutes.
Later that day, the Baby Falcons also posted a tough victory, defeating the Junior Lady Spikers, 25-19, 25-13, 28-26, to improve their record to 6-3.
FEU-D surged ahead in the third set, jumping to a commanding 12-6 lead. However, three consecutive attack errors allowed UPIS to close the gap.
The Lady Baby Tamaraws responded with a six-point run from the 19-15 mark, highlighted by back-to-back aces from Aleah Devosora.
A decisive attack from Sheila Pascual brought FEU-D to match point, and Bernadine Boston’s tip closed out the match.
“First, syempre masaya kami na nakuha namin ‘yung top four. Ngayon, hindi pa kasi doon natatapos, kumbaga yun yung pinaka-final, ‘yun ‘yung magi-istart para samin, kasi last year parang nasa top four din kami pero kami ‘yung pang fourth place. Gusto namin sana maka-podium, ‘yan ‘yung pinaka-goal namin at makaya pa namin, ang pinaka-first,” said FEU-D head coach Joanne Bunag.
“Ang sabi ko nga sa mga bata, ang goal namin ngayon mapunta doon sa top two. ‘Yun muna ang goal namin, kasi syempre ang top two may advantage,” she added.
Pascual powered the Lady Baby Tamaraws with a standout 19 points, including 15 attacks and two blocks. Devosora added 11 points, highlighted by six attacks and five aces, while Cathlyn Umal and Franz Premaylon each contributed eight points over two sets.
FEU-D improved to 7-2, tying University of Santo Tomas for second place. UPIS, already eliminated from the Final Four, remained in sixth with a 2-8 record.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, Adamson and De La Salle Zobel engaged in a tight battle until midway through the third set.
The Baby Falcons broke away with a decisive 6-2 run, taking a 20-15 lead. A net touch from DLSZ sent Adamson to match point.
However, four errors from Adamson and a service ace from Tessa Bonafe tied the game at 24-all.
A net touch from Aislinn Alemaña gave Adamson another chance to clinch the win, and a crucial block by Antonia Bololoy and Abby Segui secured the victory.
“We’re just preparing for this talaga sa mga bata, kumbaga maka-gain sila ng experience with this situation so that pagdating sa taas, kung ‘yun ‘yung situation, ‘yun ‘yung time, ‘di naman natin hinihingi kung ano ‘yung mga nangyayari pero at least prepared ‘yung mga bata na maging ready all the time,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude.
“Balik kami ulit sa training, kumbaga training, viewing, kung paano pag-aralan ‘yung kalaban especially ‘yung last two games namin,” he added.
Ellaine Gonzalvo led the Baby Falcons with 12 points, including eight attacks and four aces in just two sets.
Sam Cantada and Abby Segui added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Alemaña paced the Junior Lady Spikers in the loss with 11 points, all from attacks.
Adamson held on to fourth place with a 6-3 record, while DLSZ, eliminated from Final Four contention, dropped to 3-7 in fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Earlier, the Lady Bullpups of NUNS defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles in straight sets, 25-2, 25-9, 25-11, continuing their dominance atop the standings with an 8-1 record.
NUNS’ Harlyn Serneche shone with 16 points, including 13 attacks, in the 48-minute match.
Denesse Daylisan and Diza Berayo added 10 points each.
Ateneo, winless in 10 games, remains at the bottom of the standings.
