By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of the East captured the UAAP High School Boys’ volleyball crown for the first time in 11 years after sweeping National University–Nazareth School, 28-26, 25-23, 25-19, in Game 2 on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
The championship is the Junior Warriors’ 15th overall, ending a title drought that dated back to their historic ’11-peat’ in Season 77, led by stars Jau Umandal and Ron Medalla.
“‘Yung performance namin ngayon, talagang medyo pressured kami, lalo na doon sa social media diba. They keep mentioning ‘yung 11 years na [championship drought],” said Junior Warriors head coach Herbert Dizon.
“So sabi ko nga, ‘yung mga nababasa natin, pressure siya, pero i-take natin siya as encouragement para maibalik natin ‘yung trophy sa UE.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Both teams exchanged points down the stretch of the opening set, with Clarence Gianan and Xandrex Ragusta answering each other’s attacks. Ragusta delivered a kill to give NUNS their first match point, but UE stayed alive with a Roque hit and an attack error by Elmerson Lejano to force a 24-all deadlock.
The Junior Warriors reached match point again after an attack from Emman Marcelino, only for Ragusta to respond with another kill to level the score. Gianan followed with a quick hit to push UE back to match point, and Ragusta’s ensuing attack error finally handed UE the extended first set, 28-26.
UE carried that momentum into the second set, racing to a 9-4 lead after a five-point surge fueled by Roque and Miguel Catanghal. The Bullpups clawed back to tie at 20-all on a 5-1 run highlighted by three Ragusta kills.
UE, however, reached match point first after Lejano’s attack sailed long, and Catanghal closed the set with a decisive kill.
The Junior Warriors showed no signs of slowing down in the third set, building a 12-8 cushion with a five-point run capped by back-to-back kills from Marcelino. UE widened the gap further with a 7-2 spurt, as Catanghal scored on a block while NUNS committed costly errors, stretching UE’s lead to eight points.
With the Bullpups unable to mount a comeback, Marcelino first set up match point before delivering the championship-clinching kill himself, sealing the title for UE, 25-19.
“Sarap po sa feeling dahil 11 years tapos ngayon lang ulit nag-champion ‘yung team. Parang sisimulan na ulit namin ‘yung sunod-sunod na panalo,” said Finals MVP Paul Roque.
Marcelino spearheaded UE’s title run with 15 points off 14 attacks, a block, and 15 excellent receptions, while Catanghal added 13 points on 12 kills and a block.
Team captain Gianan contributed 11 points, and Roque added 10 in the hour-and-36-minute match.
Mharl Dullete, solid throughout the Finals, orchestrated the offense with 31 excellent sets.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite the loss, Ragusta led NUNS with 22 points, including 20 attacks, a block, and an ace, supported by Lejano’s 11 points.
UE drew first blood in the series with a 25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-13 victory in Game 1.
The Junior Warriors finished the elimination round at 11-3, suffering only three losses — against the Baby Tamaraws in both rounds and the Bullpups in Round 1.
