By: Joaquin Cortez
Last year’s finalists University of the East and National University Nazareth School secured crucial victories to complete the Final Four cast of the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Defending champions Junior Warriors staved off the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 33-31, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, while the Bullpups overwhelmed the UPIS Fighting Maroons, 25-20, 25-13, 25-12, to claim their eighth win of the season.
Needing a victory to stay in the Final Four race, Adamson fell short against UE, which leaned on Steven David’s 29-point explosion to eliminate the Baby Falcons from postseason contention.
“Meron kaming kalaban na mabigat, may NU pa … we’re not complacent pero kailangan trabaho pa,” said UE head coach Arnaldo Dino. “Medyo nag-iiba ang laro ng mga bata tulad [ngayon]. Biglang gaganda, biglang bababa. Still, ‘yon pa rin ang goal namin na pumasok.”
The Baby Falcons were eliminated from Final Four contention after suffering their seventh loss in 12 games.
The opening set went down to the wire, with Prince Padrones’ attack sailing long to tie the score at 24-all. Both teams continued to exchange points until the extended frame went beyond the 30-point mark. UE eventually drew first blood with an off-the-block attack to take the set, 33-31.
Despite taking the second set, the Junior Red Warriors found themselves trailing in the third, as Lance Babon’s kill extended Adamson’s advantage to six, 21-15.
UE threatened to mount a comeback with a 7-2 run, but the Baby Falcons responded with timely plays from James Bernabe and a crucial joust to claim the third set and extend the match.
The Junior Red Warriors regained control in the fourth frame, with Nathan Evangelista’s attack stretching their lead to five, 20-15. Adamson attempted a late rally, but Khian Hiyao delivered a quick attack to seal the 25-22 set victory and secure UE’s place in the Final Four.
Aside from David, Padrones, Jack Parde, and Emmanuel Marcelino combined for 30 points in the win, while Robrie Cardero tallied 19 excellent receptions. Mharl Dullete also dished out 31 excellent sets.
Bernabe paced Adamson with 21 points, followed by Babon with 18, as the Baby Falcons slipped to 5-7.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, NUNS leaned on Ronnie Millan, who led the Bullpups with 10 points on six attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while Ar-Raquib Dais chipped in eight points.
The Bullpups maintained their momentum into the third set, with Allen Almodovar converting an attack to extend their lead to 13-8.
UPIS attempted a late rally, but the defending champions quickly shut the door on the Fighting Maroons, allowing just one more point as they closed out the match with a 12-1 run.
Dais capped the dominant finish with an attack to seal the straight-sets victory and NUNS’ 14th consecutive Final Four appearance.
Despite securing another postseason berth, head coach Edgar Barroga admitted that the Bullpups fell short of their preseason expectations, citing injuries and other unfortunate circumstances that hampered their campaign.
“Medyo disappointed kami sa season na ‘to kasi yung ine-expect namin na mag-either one or two, eh medyo nawala. So siguro sa sobrang mga unfortunate na mga nangyayari, like mga injuries ng mga bata. But still, happy na nandito kami sa top four,” the tactician said.
“Yung remaining games na natitira namin, ang goal na lang namin doon is to experiment para sa preparation namin sa matwi-twice to beat namin na number two or number one,” he added.
Prince Jimenez led the Fighting Maroons with 13 points, all coming from attacks, while Justin Jusayan added 11 points and 10 excellent receptions as UP dropped to 4-10.
Meanwhile, UST and FEU-Diliman continued their dominant campaigns, sweeping De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo de Manila University to secure twice-to-beat advantages heading into the Final Four, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Junior Golden Spikers dispatched DLSZ, 25-15, 25-21, 25-15, to claim their second consecutive victory in the tournament.
Bouncing back from a five-set loss to NUNS last Oct. 30, UST leaned on team captain Karl Escobal, who paced the Junior Golden Spikers with 15 points on 14 attacks while also tallying 10 excellent digs.
UST cruised to a double-digit victory in the opening set, but DLSZ mounted a stronger challenge in the second frame. The Junior Archers came within striking distance after Andrei Montillano denied Anthony Cabanting to cut the deficit to one, 19-18.
The Junior Golden Spikers, however, held their ground before Escobal delivered the set-clinching kill to give UST a two-set advantage, 25-21.
UST carried its momentum into the third set, closing out the match with an 11-5 run punctuated by Kirby Aguas’ attack to complete the sweep.
Aside from Escobal, Bernard Capuno chipped in 10 points on seven attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Kian Gabriel and Jireh Torotoro contributed six points apiece.
For DLSZ, Montillano was the lone double-digit scorer with 11 points, while John Arguelles added eight points and 13 excellent receptions as the Junior Archers dropped to 3-10.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Earlier in the day, FEU also swept Ateneo, 25-9, 25-17, 25-16, behind Season 87 Rookie of the Year Kenneth Maliwanag, who registered a game-high 14 points, including five service aces, to power the Baby Tamaraws to their fifth consecutive victory.
Ateneo, meanwhile, remained winless after 11 games, with no player reaching double figures. Kirby Manalang led the Blue Eagles with six points in the losing effort.
With two games remaining in the elimination round, both the Junior Golden Spikers and the Baby Tamaraws remained tied atop the standings with identical 11-1 records.
