By: Justine Anne Gaerlan and Czarina Agaton
National University Nazareth School stunned defending champion Adamson University, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-13, to claim solo third place in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at Paco Arena in Manila.
Determined to avenge their loss in last season’s finals, the Lady Bullpups delivered a commanding performance.
They also handed the Lady Falcons their second defeat since last year’s undefeated championship run.
Adamson previously lost to UST, also in five sets, during the opening of its title defense.
“So far, at least nakaka-adjust na rin ‘yung mga players sa competitive na level ng UAAP. Kasi from last year, 10 ‘yung bago [na player] and four lang ‘yung mga nakapag-experience ng UAAP, so malaking bagay na nanalo kami ngayon sa game na ‘to – lalo na sa defending champion,” said Lady Bullpups head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
Earlier in the day, the Junior Tigresses kept their perfect record intact, dominating the UPIS Fighting Maroons, 25-7, 25-7, 25-18, to tie the FEU-Diliman Lady Baby Tams at the top with a 4-0 slate.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Lady Bullpups surged to a 7-5 lead in the fifth set, fueled by a 5-1 run, capitalizing on multiple errors from the Lady Baby Falcons.
NUNS extended its advantage, but Adamson rallied late in the set, cutting the lead to just one point after an attack by Sam Cantada and an error by Harlyn Serneche, bringing the score to 13-12.
A service error by Ellaine Gonzalvo gave NUNS match point, but Abby Segui responded with a strong attack to keep Adamson alive.
In the end, a decisive kill from Jenelyn Jacob sealed the win for the Lady Bullpups, improving their record to 3-1.
“Moving forward, napakalaking bagay [ng larong ito] kasi next game namin is another contender din, UST. So magandang preparation siguro ulit para sa mabigat din na kalaban, so maintain lang namin ‘yung level or ma-improve ba namin,” added Dimaculangan, who led the NU Lady Bulldogs to the UAAP Season 84 championship.
“Alam pa namin malayo pa kasi may second round pa, pero at least nakakakuha kami ng panalo.”
Harlyn Serneche led the Lady Bullpups with 16 points, composed of 13 attacks and three aces, while Denesse Daylisan and Jenelyn Jacob each chipped in 10 points.
Rihanna Navarro orchestrated their offense efficiently with 15 excellent sets.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For Adamson, which dropped to 2-2 and fourth place, Sam Cantada was the standout, finishing with 23 points on 22 attacks.
Sofia Arasan directed the Lady Baby Falcons’ offense with 22 excellent sets.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In UST’s earlier match, Kim Rubin, who played only in the first two sets, led the Junior Golden Tigresses with 11 points, including seven service aces.
Reeza Abayon and Jezel Silvestre, despite each playing just one set, added seven points apiece.
“Well, okay naman yung game. But yung mga second stringers namin, kailangan kasi rin namin ma-expose,” said UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez.
The Fighting Maroons dropped to sixth place with a 1-4 record.
