By: Nicole Gonzales
University of the East clinched its fifth consecutive Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament after overpowering De La Salle Zobel in four sets, 25-17, 24-26, 25-15, 25-14, on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Junior Warriors improved to 9-3, tying Far Eastern University-Diliman for second place and, more importantly, extending their Final Four streak that began in Season 82 (2019).
Earlier in the day, the Baby Tamaraws fell to Adamson University, 33-31, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23, as the Baby Falcons evened their record to keep their slim semis hopes alive.
UE led by as much as eight points in the opening set and secured it with a kill block from Khian Hiyao.
DLSZ, however, opened the second set with momentum, racing to a 15-6 lead after a strong attack from Kooper Arguelles.
Despite a six-point UE run fueled by Paul Roque and Emman Marcelino to tie the frame at 24-all, the Junior Green Spikers escaped with the set after a late error.
“Medyo nag-relax yung mga bata. Isang attitude ng team na kailangan naming i-improve, kasi parang nagdedepende sila doon sa kung sinong kalaban nila,” said UE head coach Herbert Dizon.
The Junior Warriors regained full control in the third and fourth sets, pulling away with stronger defensive coverage and more composed execution.
In the final stretch, a service ace from team captain Clarence Gianan sealed UE’s ninth win of the season and officially punched their ticket to the Final Four, alongside the National University–Nazareth School Bullpups and the Baby Tamaraws.
“Kailangan higitan namin yung performance namin nung last season. Pero, sa nangyayari [ngayong season], unpredictable kasi. Hoping kami na makapasok pa rin kami [sa finals], pasok na kami sa Final Four. We’ll do our best pa rin para ma-sustain namin yung status namin na makapasok sa finals,” Dizon added.
Roque delivered 21 points built on 15 attacks, four blocks, and two aces. Middle blocker Gianan added 10 points from seven attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Miguel Catanghal chipped in nine attack points.
For already-eliminated DLSZ, Arguelles tallied 13 points — 11 off attacks — while Brett Urriquia also scored 13 markers from 10 attacks and three blocks.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Kirk Partosa powered the Baby Falcons with 25 attack points. Janus Bejar added 13 points — 11 from attacks — while Benedict Castillo posted 12 points off nine attacks and three blocks.
“Paghahandaan namin [yung match against] Zobel on Sunday, on the 28th UST [ang kalaban namin], napaka-importante [nung game na yun]. Kailangan manalo kami sa UST ng straight sets siguro or at least four sets man lang, para sure na makapag-playoffs pa kami,” said Adamson head coach Marvin Ramoso.
For FEU-D, top scorer Kenneth Maliwanag did not suit up.
Still, Tyler Ramos led the way with 24 points built on 21 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Edrielle Manlapaz contributed 12 points—all from attacks.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In another game, University of Santo Tomas swept the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-12, 25-16, 25-20, to clinch a playoff for a Final Four spot with an 8-4 slate.
Rainiel Lorayes topscored for the Junior Golden Spikers with 15 points off 12 attacks and three aces. Bernard Capuno followed with eight points, seven coming from spikes.
On the other hand, top seed NUNS swept Ateneo de Manila University, 25-15, 25-13, 25-15, moving just a win away from securing a twice-to-beat advantage.
Last season’s silver medalists, Bullpups, improved to an 11-1 slate.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ronnie Millan led NUNS with 13 points on 10 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Xandrex Ragusta added nine markers.
Also-ran squads UPIS and Ateneo dropped to 1-11 and 0-12, respectively.
For UPIS, all players were held to single-digit scoring, with Justine Jusayan leading the team with seven attack points, while Prince Jimenez and Marco Bamba scored six points each.
For Ateneo, Ethan Rivera finished with 10 points built on seven attacks and three blocks, while Deydi de Ocampo and Xavier Castillo tallied five points apiece.
