By: Czarina Agaton and Justine Anne Gaerlan
National University Nazareth School dominated De La Salle Zobel, 25-9, 25-18, 25-16, to claim the solo lead and secure a spot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at Paco Arena.
Den Daylisan tallied 11 points on 10-of-21 attacks, while Herlyn Serneche also scored 11 points as the Bullpups improved to a 7-1 record.
University of Santo Tomas prevailed over Far Eastern University-Diliman, 20-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-20, climbing to solo second with a 6-2 record and joining NUNS in the Final Four.
“Since malapit na rin yung end ng second round, mas kailangan namin makita yung ibang players to step up. So hopefully, maka-cope up din lahat at maka-contribute din sa team, lalo na pag mga crucial game,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
The Junior Lady Spikers slipped to 3-6, two and a half games behind defending champion Adamson in the race for the last Final Four slot.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Kim Rubin led the Tigresses with 21 points, including seven service aces, while Jai Adrao added nine kills and Avril Bron contributed with eight blocks.
Aneeza Santos powered UST’s offense with 13 excellent sets, and libero Chasliey Pepito gathered 12 excellent digs.
The loss dropped the Baby Tamaraws to third place at 6-2, half a game behind the Junior Tigresses in the race for the second twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four.
“So unti-unti naitatama namin hanggang pagdating sa dulo, nahihabol namin kahit we’re down by 4 or 5 to 0 run ang FEU. Then naka-recover kami, then bumalik ulit kami sa dati. So yun ang pinakamaganda. Nag-re-respond sila sa every instruction ng coaches, target serve, yung blocking pattern. Bukod sa nanalo, bumalik sila sa kung ano meron kami,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Aleah Devosora led FEU with 15 points, including 14 attacks and an ace, while Raine Alonzo added 13 kills.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the later match, University of the Philippines Integrated School swept Ateneo de Manila University, 25-10, 26-24, 25-18, for their second win of the season.
Janelle Guarino led UPIS with nine points, six from attacks and three aces, while Nina Abad contributed nine points, including four service aces.
The Junior Fighting Maroons remain in sixth place with a 2-7 record, while the Blue Eagles were eliminated from contention after suffering their ninth consecutive defeat.
