By: Christian David Ruiz
University of Santo Tomas and National University Nazareth School secured twice-to-beat advantages in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament after defeating Adamson University and University of the East, respectively, on Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Junior Golden Spikers finished the preliminaries as the top-seeded team with a 13-1 win-loss record after a commanding straight-set victory over the Baby Falcons, 25-16, 25-23, 25-15.
Despite trailing by seven points in the third set, Adamson’s Christian Custodio tried to rally his team with a solid block on Rainier Lorayes. However, Erick Perjes spoiled the Baby Falcons’ momentum with a quick attack.
Paolo Medino and Lorayes sealed the win for UST, wrapping up the match in just one hour and five minutes.
Middle blocker Crisean Cruz stood out for the Junior Golden Spikers with 12 points, including seven attacks, three blocks, and two service aces.
Medino and John Paul Bautista also chipped in with 12 points apiece.
“Yung intensity namin sa game medyo bumaba, kasi nga yung game namin last, sa NU, is high intense talaga yung ginawa namin,” said UST head coach Clarence Esteban.
“Medyo nag-light kami ng training dahil yung rigid training namin para doon sa game namin sa NU is medyo binigatan namin, pero hindi maganda yung naging outcome kahit nanalo kami. Parang bumaba yung level nung intensity nung game namin ngayong araw na to,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For Adamson, Jims Ducusin led with nine points, all from attacks, while Custodio contributed eight points, including six attacks and two blocks.
With the loss, Adamson’s Final Four hopes hang in the balance.
The Baby Falcons are tied with Far Eastern University-Diliman at fourth place with identical 7-7 records after the Baby Tamaraws defeated University of the Philippines Integrated School in straight sets.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Tyler Ramos and Eldrielle Manlapaz powered FEU-D to a crucial win, forcing a playoff with Adamson for the last semifinal slot.
Ramos scored 14 points, including 11 attacks, while Manlapaz added 12 points from 10 attacks and two blocks in a 51-minute match.
Marco Bamba led the Junior Fighting Maroons in their losing effort, tallying 10 points, all from attacks.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Bullpups swept the Junior Warriors, 25-23, 25-16, 25-21, in a one-hour and eight-minute encounter.
After a tight opening set, UE faltered in the second frame, struggling with digs and passes while NU capitalized with sharp attacks.
The third set saw UE commit a rotation error early, allowing the Bullpups to build a decisive 9-1 run anchored on Xandrex Ragusta’s blocks.
UE fought back, cutting the lead to two points thanks to Lance Babon’s three consecutive attacks and errors from NU’s Yuan Mendoza.
However, UE’s continued miscues, including an attack error by Christian Antonio, handed NU the twice-to-beat edge.
Mendoza powered NU with 22 points from 19 attacks, one block, and two aces.
“Well, happy ako dahil nag-perform yung mga reliever, I mean yung mga second stringers, since yung mga first six namin is nasa injured list. So, hopefully magtuloy-tuloy yung performance nila,” said NU head coach Edgar Barroga.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Open hitter Christian Antonio was a bright spot for UE, scoring 16 points off 14 attacks. Despite their valiant effort, the Junior Warriors will face an uphill battle in the semifinals without the twice-to-beat advantage.
The day ended with De La Salle Zobel defeating Ateneo de Manila University in straight sets, 25-16, 25-19, 25-22, to conclude their Season 87 campaign on a high note.
Allan Sandrino led the Junior Archers with 10 points from six attacks, two blocks, and two aces. Mario Roxas and Alessandro Baligod added six points apiece.
For Ateneo, Ranidel De Ocampo Jr. contributed nine points, including three attacks, four blocks, and two aces.
