By: Nicole Gonzales
University of the East stunned the previously unbeaten National University–Nazareth School, handing the Bullpups their first loss in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament in straight sets, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22, on Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Last season’s second runner-up, the Junior Warriors improved to a 6-2 win-loss record, while ending the tournament-leading Bullpups’ seven-game winning streak.
They also tied for second place with the Far Eastern University–Diliman Baby Tamaraws, who lost to the University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Spikers 21-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-19.
“Malaking factor ito [win over NUNS] para sa mga players, lalo na sa mga seniors namin. Yung first round [match] kasi namin with NU, same scenario, nakuha namin yung first two sets, pero nag-short kami sa third, fourth, at fifth set,” said UE head coach Herbert Dizon on their second-round opener.
In their first-round encounter last September 30, the Bullpups pulled off a reverse sweep over the Junior Warriors, 20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-8.
“We tried our best to focus doon sa defense and blocking, tapos sa opensa naman, medyo continuous lang yung practice namin,” Dizon added.
In the first two sets of Sunday’s match, NUNS initially surged ahead by a few points, but UE kept its composure. The team rallied midway through, relying on powerful attacks and a steady floor defense to take a 2–0 lead.
“Dapat hindi nauuna yung kalaban kasi meron silang tendency na ‘pag nauuna yung kalaban, medyo nagiging slow yung isip nila. Parang bumababa ang moral nila. Sabi ko, ‘always try to make it a point na ahead tayo. Makuhanan man tayo ng additional point, konti lang, pero still dapat ahead tayo’,” said Dizon.
In the final set, NUNS briefly took the lead before UE tied it at 6-all following a service ace by Kenzie Caro.
Paul Roque then delivered a down-the-line kill that helped the Junior Warriors surge ahead, 21-16.
The Bullpups tried to rally late to preserve their unbeaten streak, cutting the deficit to 23-21, but crucial errors derailed their comeback. A miscommunication on NU’s side sealed the victory for the Junior Warriors.
Roque earned Player of the Game honors after leading UE with 20 points built on 19 attacks and an ace. Middle blockers Miguel Catanghal and Clarence Gianan added nine points each to cap off the upset win.
On the other side, Elmerson Lejano led the Bullpups with 11 points, 10 of which came from attacks, while Ronnie Millan contributed nine markers in the losing effort.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, defending champion UST bounced back into form after defeating FEU-D to rise to solo fourth with a 5-3 record.
UST’s Rainiel Lorayes topped all scorers with 21 points on 20 attacks and a block. He was backed by Cirilo Domingo, who came off the bench to deliver 17 points.
For FEU-D, Kenneth Maliwanag scored 14 points, while Edrielle Manlapaz chipped in 12 — all coming from attacks.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Earlier in the day, Adamson University cruised to a straight-sets win over the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-13, 25-11, 25-19, to even its slate and stay at solo fifth.
John Reyes led Adamson with 11 points on eight attacks and three blocks, earning Player of the Game honors. He was supported by Ian Dayao, who tallied nine points built on five attacks, three service aces, and a block.
For UPIS — which dropped to 1-7 — Justine Jusayan and Prince Jimenez each scored eight points, as no Junior Maroon reached double digits.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the closing match for the gameday, De La Salle Zobel took down Ateneo de Manila University in straight sets, 25-17, 25-21, 25-15.
The Junior Green Spikers improved to 3-5 with their 11-man roster, while the Blue Eagles remained winless at 0-8.
Andrei Montillano led DLSZ with 14 points — 11 from spikes, two blocks, and one ace — while Kyle Aure added nine.
Ethan Rivera paced Ateneo with seven points, all from attacks, followed by Ymanuel Cervantes with six.
