By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Defending champion National University Nazareth School kicked off its title defense with a 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 17-25, 15-10 victory over last season’s third placer Far Eastern University-Diliman in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Matthew Abut spearheaded the Bullpups’ attack with 17 points on 15-of-33 kills, one block, and an ace that went along with 13 receptions and eight digs while Yuan Mendoza and Irilis Kasim added 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the balanced offensive effort.
In the other boys’ match, University of Santo Tomas took down last season’s runners-up University of the East, 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23.
Meanwhile, the NUNS girls’ team began its redemption campaign with a commanding 25-9, 25-10, 25-16 win over University of the Philippines Integrated School.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Harlyn Serneche came through with 15 points, including four service aces and two blocks while Jenelyn Jacob and Den Daylisan added 11 points each for the Lady Bullpups.
Season 85 MVP Kianne Olango, Celine Marsh and Bienne Bansil were among the NUNS key Bullpups who have already graduated.
Tied at two sets apiece, the Bullpups started the final frame strong, building an early 5-2 lead behind a service ace from Mendoza.
NUNS continued to surge, extending their advantage to 11-5 with a series of kills. However, FEU-D mounted a comeback, scoring four straight points to cut the deficit to 13-9.
Mendoza’s crosscourt attack brought NU to match point, but Tyler Ramos kept FEU-D alive momentarily with a well-placed spike. Still, another crosscourt finish from Mendoza sealed the set and match for NU, 15-10.
“At first, akala ko medyo komportable kami, but again, dumating na naman sa point na kapag na-o-overexcite, nawawala ‘yung laro nila. Lumalabas ‘yung pagkabata nila,” said NU head coach Edgar Barroga.
“Medyo nawala sa focus like what happened in the third set. Tapos noong humahabol na kami, ito na ‘yung fear ko every time na naghahabol kami, iba na ‘yung takbo ng utak nila. More on errors, gigil na, nawawala na ‘yung sistema namin tsaka ‘yung dapat namin gawin sa loob ng court. But of course, happy ako dahil naka-recover kami,” he added.
Kenneth Maliwanag paced the Baby Tamaraws with 19 points, tallying 17 attacks and two blocks, while Zedrick Calimlim chipped in with 16 markers.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Jon Paolo Medino led the Junior Golden Spikers with 18 points on 15-of-33 kills and three blocks, and 11 receptions while John Paul Bautista fired seven service aces to finish with 16 points.
“‘Yung mga bagong players ko, nire-rebuild pa rin ‘yung kumpiyansa nila sa loob ng court, kung paano maglaro. So marami naman naiwan pero siyempre, bagong season… so nandun pa rin ‘yung hinahanap nilang adjustment,” said UST head coach Clarence Esteban.
The fourth set featured a tight battle, with the Junior Warriors jumping ahead 9-5 after four consecutive points, capped by an attack from Buenaventura Limpin.
UST responded with a 5-2 run, punctuated by a block from Season 86 1st Best Outside Spiker Paolo Medino, bringing the Junior Golden Spikers within one at 15-14.
Trailing by as much as four points, reigning boys’ MVP Joncriz Ayco and last season’s 1st Best Middle Blocker Sean Cruz connived for a kill block to tie the game at 20.
UST took the lead via a drop ball from Ayco and maintained a narrow one-point advantage until Medino’s spike brought them to match point.
After a service error from Cruz, Medino sealed the victory with an emphatic attack to close out the game.
On the other side, Limpin led UE’s offense with 15 points, including 11 attacks and three blocks. Lance Babon added 14 points in the losing effort.
Niña Abad led the Fighting Maroons with nine points, including three service aces.
