By: Czarina Agaton
University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University-Diliman both delivered dominating performances in their opening matches of the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball tournament on Monday at the Adamson University Gymnasium.
The Junior Tigresses swept the Ateneo Blue Eagles in three commanding sets, 25-6, 25-14, 25-15.
Meanwhile, the Baby Lady Tamaraws also secured a straight-set victory over the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Lady Spikers, 25-11, 25-14, 25-23.
Last season, the Junior Tigresses finished in third place under the leadership of former team captain Margaret Altea, who has since moved up to the Golden Tigresses in the collegiate division.
UST head coach Kungfu Reyes shared the challenges they faced in adjusting to a new lineup this year.
“Actually, yung adjustment. Day 1 nang nag-start pinag-training after season last year, doon na yung adjustment. And ano na lang ito, yung talagang experience ng mga games kasi nga. From the bench player, sila na yung mga frontliner namin ngayon. Araw-araw, inaano namin sa training talaga,” said Reyes.
FEU-D head coach Joanne Bunag was also pleased with her team’s performance but acknowledged that there’s still room for improvement as they navigate through the season.
“Maganda naman yung laro ng mga bata. Pero siyempre, of course first game pa lang ito. Marami pa kami dapat i-correct. Marami pa dapat bago. Kailangan pa namin mag-prepare ng matagal,” Bunag, an FEU legend, noted.
In UST’s victory, Alas Pilipinas Girls U18 member Kim Rubin led the charge with 14 points, including an impressive nine service aces and five attacks. Avril Bron chipped in eight points.
Team captain Jaila Adrao added six points from attacks, while libero Chas Pepito anchored the defense with 11 excellent digs.
Setter Aneeza Santos also contributed with seven excellent sets.
Rubin ignited a four-point rally in the first set with a powerful off-the-block attack and back-to-back service aces, pushing UST to a 6-2 lead.
The Junior Tigresses sealed the set at 25-6 with a service ace from Olaguir.
UST maintained its momentum in the second set and capitalized on Ateneo’s errors in the third to clinch the match at 25-15.
The Junior Tigresses’ dominant performance resulted in 31 attack points, four blocks, and 22 service aces, marking a strong start to their season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Baby Lady Tamaraws also began their campaign on a high note with a straight-set win over the Junior Lady Spikers.
However, FEU is in a rebuilding phase, as most of their key spikers headlined by Clarisse Loresco and Love Lopez from the previous season have graduated, leaving the Tams to form new chemistry.
“Yung player ko ngayon kasi talagang halos lahat bago. Ang natira lang sa lineup last year is isa, dalawa. Tapos lahat, bago na lahat,” said Bunag.
“Naka-focus muna kami sa individual skills nila. Tapos ngayon, itong palapit na yung season, doon na kami kinu-correct namin sa team naman. Kung paano mag-ge-gel sila sa loob ng court.”
Sheila Pascual led the Baby Lady Tamaraws’ offense with 14 points, all from attacks. Meanwhile, Aleah Devesora contributed 12 points, nine of which were from attacks, along with three blocks.
The Baby Lady Tamaraws comfortably took the first two sets, but the Junior Lady Spikers fought back in the third, tying the score at 15-15.
However, a crucial attack error by DLSZ handed FEU the final set, 25-23.
FEU-D setter Sheena Cafe facilitated the team’s offense with 14 excellent sets.
DLSZ was led by captain Aislinn Alemana with eight points, including seven attacks and a service ace.
Rian Ardidon and Nicola Ladignon scored four apiece for Ateneo.
