By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of Santo Tomas stretched its unbeaten run to nine games with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-19 sweep of Adamson University, moving closer to a UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ Volleyball Final Four berth on Sunday at the FEU-Diliman Gym in Quezon City.
UST pulled away in the third set as Karl Escobal and Bernard Capuno delivered consecutive attacks to build a seven-point lead and keep Adamson at bay.
Jireh Torotoro then scored the match-point kill before Lance Babon committed a service error to bring the match to a close and hand the Junior Golden Spikers the victory.
“Siguro nagsimula kaming rough tapos parang nagiging fine na ‘yung galaw ng mga players. Sa haba ng liga, kumbaga, parang na-tune up na ‘yung galawan nila. So mas nagsasalita, mas nagko-communicate doon sa loob, mas aggressive ‘yung galaw nila ngayon,” said UST coach Clarence Esteban.
“Mas lalo pa naming tinataas ‘yung intensity para maka-prepare kami sa mataas na intensity sa game,” he added.
Escobal led UST’s offensive charge with 20 points on 19 kills and a block, while also recording nine receptions. Capuno added 10 points on seven attacks, two blocks, and an ace, along with 16 excellent receptions.
Carl Jamer Detoyato contributed eight digs and seven excellent receptions, while Chester Esteban orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets and added five points in the 64-minute contest.
Babon paced the Baby Falcons with 15 points on 14 attacks and a block.
Adamson fell to a 4-5 record, a game behind National University-Nazareth School in the Final Four race. The Bullpups bounced back with a dominant 25-9, 25-13, 25-8 sweep of Ateneo de Manila University to remain in fourth place at 5-4.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Far Eastern University-Diliman, meanwhile, secured its second consecutive victory with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-12 sweep of University of the Philippines Integrated School, strengthening its hold on second place with an 8-1 record.
The Baby Tamaraws carried their momentum into the third set, racing to an 11-2 lead to take control early. FEU-D maintained its advantage despite a late push from UPIS, which capitalized on the Baby Tamaraws’ miscues and drew points from Prince Jimenez’s attacks. However, the deficit proved too much to overcome, as Neoh Fallorina brought FEU-D to match point before Rene Sabellano sealed the victory with a kill.
Kenneth Maliwanag led FEU-D with 12 points on eight attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while Samuel Hopkins chipped in seven points on five kills and two blocks as the Baby Tamaraws continued their push for a Final Four berth and a possible second-place finish in the elimination round.
“Well, that’s not our expectations pa nga eh. Nung first set, medyo nagre-relax. That’s why sabi ko sa boys, hindi puwedeng ganyan ang lalaruin natin. But anyway, a win is a win,” said FEU-D head coach Rene Dulay.
“Nevertheless, we’ll try kasi pabigat nang pabigat ‘yung matches namin. Ang mindsetting namin right now is we must win. More wins to get into the Final Four. ‘Yung preparations namin, continuous ‘yun. Siguro we have to improve on the small things na napapabayaan namin. Nae-ensayo naman ‘yun pero nag-aano lang ‘yung players, may time they’re off, they’re on,” he continued.
Alwyn Abujen tallied 12 excellent digs in the 55-minute match, while setter Karch Carolino recorded 14 excellent sets.
Jimenez finished with 16 points on 11 attacks, four blocks, and an ace to lead UPIS, which dropped to 3-6 but remained in sixth place in the standings.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
University of the East also bounced back from its loss to UST, defeating De La Salle Zobel in four sets, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19, to improve to 6-3 and maintain third place.
The Junior Warriors leaned on a balanced offensive effort, with Jack Parde leading the way with nine points on six kills, two blocks, and an ace. Nathan Evangelista, Gian Baldoza, Emman Marcelino, and Steven David added seven points apiece as UE held on to third place in the standings.
Setter Mharl Dullete orchestrated the attack throughout the hour-and-23-minute match, finishing with 15 excellent sets and six points, while Khian Gorospe contributed 10 excellent sets.
Despite Brett Urriquia’s 14-point performance on 13 attacks and a block, DLSZ slipped to 1-8 after absorbing its fifth consecutive defeat.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, NUNS relied on a balanced offensive effort to cruise past Ateneo and strengthen its position in the Final Four race.
Allen Almodovar led the Bullpups with 10 points on eight kills and two aces, while Ronnie Millan and Al Raquib Dais chipped in eight points apiece to help NUNS improve to 5-4.
Setter Jemil Ocampo registered six excellent sets to lead the team’s playmaking effort, followed by Louie Gallego with five in the 54-minute match.
Still winless after nine games, Ateneo moved closer to elimination.
