By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas moved within striking distance of taking the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Championship after an 18-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-19 triumph over defending champion National University Nazareth School in Game 1 of the Finals on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The Junior Golden Spikers previously won their first and only UAAP High School Boys’ Volleyball Championship in Season 80 in 2018, with a victory over FEU-Diliman in the Finals.
UST will have the chance to secure its second overall title in Game 2 of the best-of-three series at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the same venue.
The final set began as a tight back-and-forth battle, but UST broke away with a decisive five-point run, extending their lead to eight.
NUNS responded with a three-point surge to keep their hopes alive, but the gap proved insurmountable.
Joncriz Ayco’s back-to-back attacks brought the Junior Golden Spikers to match point at 24-17.
Paolo Medino then delivered the final blow with a powerful kill, sealing the victory for UST.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Nung first set kasi nawala ‘yung receive namin, then ‘yung setter medyo binabagal niya, hindi ‘yun ‘yung ginagawa naming usual. So siguro masyado silang naha-hype doon sa ano. So minotivate ko lang sila na hindi ganyan ‘yung ginagawa natin sa training, hindi ‘yan ‘yung ginawa natin na dapat mangyari,” said UST head coach Clarence Esteban.
“So at least noong second set nagising sila na nung bumilis ‘yung set namin gumanda ‘yung receive, naging okay ‘yung laro namin.”
The Bullpups came out firing in the opening set, quickly seizing control with a 9-3 advantage, fueled by a three-point run.
The Junior Golden Spikers fought back to cut the deficit to 17-14 after a scoring spree of their own, but their momentum was cut short.
NUNS regained their grip on the set, stretching their lead to six behind an attack from Matthew Abut and a block by Irilis Kasim.
A service error from UST’s Rolf De Asis brought the Bullpups to set point, where Xandrex Ragusta notched a decisive kill to claim the first set.
The second set remained tightly contested until a 16-all deadlock, but John Paul Bautista took charge, delivering three straight kills that gave the Junior Golden Spikers a crucial three-point cushion.
That momentum proved enough to keep the Bullpups at bay.
An attack error from NUNS handed UST set point, and Ayco capitalized with an attack to close out the set, 25-21.
The fourth frame was a nail-biter, with both teams battling fiercely throughout the set.
An attack error by Abut pushed UST to match point, but he quickly redeemed himself with an attack to force a deuce.
The set saw two more deadlocks before Sean Cruz and Bautista combined for a crucial block to bring the Junior Golden Spikers back to match point.
Rain Dela Paz then delivered a clutch service ace to take the set, 28-26.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
John Paul Bautista fired on all cylinders with 17 points, including 16-of-41 kills, a block, and 15 excellent receptions.
Medino contributed 16 points, 15 of which came from attacks, in a match that lasted two hours and three minutes.
Jefferson Abalos masterfully steered Junior Golden Spikers’ offense with 17 excellent sets.
On defense, Kalel Legaspi anchored the team with 15 digs.
Yuan Mendoza led the Bullpups with a game-high 18 points, including 15 from attacks.
Abut and Miguel Egger provided steady support with 15 points each.
