University of the East displayed tremendous composure despite losing a four-point lead in the fifth set to outlast National University Nazareth School, 25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-13, moving closer to ending an 11-year title drought in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament, Thursday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Junior Warriors will go for the jugular in Game 2 at 2:00 PM on Sunday at the same Katipunan venue.
The Junior Warriors were the ones who handed the Bullpups their first loss in the elimination round, taking a 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 sweep last October 26 that snapped NUNS’s seven-game winning streak.
The Bullpups, in contrast, needed five sets to beat the Junior Warriors in their first encounter, 20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-8, on September 28.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In their third match this season, Clarence Gianan pushed the Junior Warriors to a 13-9 lead. The Bullpups then responded with four straight points capped by a Mikhael Abut service ace to tie the match at 13-13.
Playing its third straight five-setter dating back to the final day of eliminations, UE reached match point on a Jordino Perales ace. NUNS saw any hopes of a lifeline fade after Al-raquib Dais’ spike went out of bounds.
Both teams needed the full two games to reach the Final Four after losing their semis openers that disarmed their twice-to-beat advantages.
NUNS fell to University of Santo Tomas, while UE was stunned by Far Eastern University-Diliman in the opening games.
The Bullpups recovered against the Junior Golden Spikers, 25–22, 25–19, 23–25, 26–24. Then the Junior Warriors outlasted the Tamaraws, 21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 15-9, last December 8 to forge a title clash.
Having endured consecutive marathon matches, the Junior Warriors have become tougher, with their eyes set on a 15th title and their first since completing an ’11-peat’ in UAAP Season 77 (2014).
“Pinalalakas ko yung loob nila,” said second-year UE coach Herbert Dizon.
Paul Roque led the Junior Warriors with a match-best 22 kills, while Emman Marcelino contributed 15 points and 24 receptions. Gianan and Miguel Catanghal had 11 points each.
Mharl Dullete added 30 excellent sets.
“Yung game namin, nag-contribute lahat. May mga time na naba-blangko na mga kasama ko pero gumagawa kami, humahanap kami ng paraan na maka-score at maka-contribute, individually and as a team,” said Gianan.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For the Bullpups, Ragusta had 18 points, including two kills during their rally from a 9-13 deficit. Dais contributed eight blocks for a 13-point outing, while Christian Mangahoy also tallied 13 points. – TJ
